Saturday, August 9, 2008

Breast Cancer Ribbons

By Ray Lam

One of the most famous symbols of disease awareness is the red ribbon that is used to raise AIDS awareness. This symbol has been worn by various celebrities with the aim of encouraging understanding about the disease and raising funds for prevention and its eventual cure. Given the popularity of this symbol, the ribbon has also been used to increase awareness for other diseases, such as cancer. For breast cancer, the symbol that is used is the pink ribbon.

For breast cancer awareness advocates, the symbol of a pink ribbon represents hope and awareness for those affected by this terrible disease. These groups encourage people to wear this symbol and help in the efforts of raising awareness as well as much-needed funds for research.

The pink ribbon symbol has taken on many forms. It is now seen printed on various materials such as T-shirts, mugs, wristbands, and bumper stickers. In some cases, the symbol is even engraved on jewelry, the most famous of which are pink ribbon bracelets. It is also worth noting that most of the companies who sell these items contribute part of the proceeds to breast cancer research.

This is especially difficult, because we know that early detection might very well have saved our loved ones. This is what the pink ribbon is really all about. Yes, maybe we've lost someone. Maybe we just had a close call. Maybe we're concerned for someone or ourselves right now. But the point is, wearing the ribbon might just remind another woman to get that mammogram she's been putting off. If just one woman did a self examination because she saw a pink ribbon pin on a co-worker that day, it was the most successful clothing choice ever made!

The pink ribbon is an international symbol for breast cancer awareness. You can wear your pink ribbon in any country; it has universal meaning. No one or no company owns the rights to the pink ribbon. In fact, companies who use this symbol each add their own flair. Avon's pink ribbon doesn't look exactly like Estee Lauder's. But they're both recognizable as symbols of support for breast cancer issues, treatment and especially for finding a cure. And portions of the sale of each go to breast cancer research.

So, whether you have your own personalized pink ribbon that you share with friends and relatives or you are using a corporate one, you are showing your support for this very important cause. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each ribbon goes into breast cancer research-to help those looking for a cure for all of us.

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