Pink bow
The pink ribbon is an international symbol that draws attention to the problem of breast cancer . The pink ribbon is often understood as an international symbol, analogous to the red ribbon (the “AIDS ribbon”) and other awareness ribbons , which express solidarity with women affected by breast cancer and raise public awareness of this issue. The American association Susan G. Komen for the Cure (until 2006 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation ), an organization that fights for "awareness against breast cancer" worldwide, distributed the pink ribbon for the first time in autumn 1991 and uses it until today in stylized form.
history
The first pink ribbon was introduced by the Breast Cancer Foundation by Susan G. Komen . They handed out pink umbrellas to breast cancer survivors who participated in a run for those who had been healed since late 1990. A few months later, in 1991, every participant in the Race for the Cure in New York City received a pink ribbon.
Alexandra Penney , then editor of Self Magazine , was working on the second issue of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1992 . Evelyn Lauder , who was Vice President of Estée Lauder at the time , was invited to be the guest editor of NBCAM's 1992 edition. Penney and Lauder came up with the idea of creating a bow and promoting it on cosmetic tables in New York. Afterwards Evelyn Lauder promised to spread this campaign worldwide, but a color for this ribbon did not yet exist.
However, the then 68-year-old Charlotte Hayley produced peach-colored ribbons as a symbol against breast cancer. She sold the ribbons with a card that said, “The National Cancer Institute's annual budget is $ 1.8 billion, and only 5 percent goes to cancer. Help us alert our lawmakers and America with this loop ” . Their news spread quickly. Which helped Penney and Evelyn Lauder get interested in Charlotte's campaign. They wanted to join Hayley's initiative and work with her. But Hayley declined the offer.
After a meeting with Lauder, Hayley and the lawyers, they came up with a "new" color. The new color of the ribbon was pink and became an international symbol for breast cancer awareness.
aims
The aim of the pink ribbon is to draw attention to the topic of breast cancer.
- Prevention and screening - early detection of breast cancer
- Research - further research into breast cancer
- Remedies - to develop remedies for healing or to further develop existing ones
- Attention - Giving the subject more public attention
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual and international, organized by the major breast cancer foundations health campaign. The aim is to improve awareness of the disease, to promote research in order to carry out prevention and research into cures. The campaign is also aimed at people suffering from breast cancer.
In 1985 AstraZeneca founded "Breast Cancer Awareness Month". AstraZeneca is an international pharmaceutical company and manufacturer of tamoxifen , a breast cancer drug.
The number of companies and corporations engaged in breast cancer awareness has increased over the years. Estée Lauder , Avon , Komen, and other commercial and non-commercial organizations are active in the fight against breast cancer.
In October 1983 the " Race for the Cure " was held for the first time in Dallas, Texas. 700 people took part there. In 1999, not only did the number of participants rise to 600,000, but the run became one of the nation's largest runs. This run was organized in 99 US cities. In 2005 the number of participants reached 1.4 million.
Products
Breast Cancer Postage Stamp
The first special stamp on breast cancer was published in 1996. Because it wasn't selling well, Ethel Kessler was asked to do a redesign. From July 29, 1998, the special stamp was sold for 45 cents. 70 percent of the proceeds go to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and 30 percent to the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program (DOD).
Breast Cancer Coins
A breast cancer silver coin has been launched in Canada. This coin has an edition of 15,000 pieces worldwide. On one side of the coin there is a picture of Queen Elizabeth II , on the other side a pink ribbon inlaid in enamel . In France, a € 2 commemorative coin was issued in 2017 on the 25th anniversary of the Pink Ribbon. The front shows the classic € 2 coin front. The reverse shows the bust of a naked woman who hides her breast with a bow in her left hand. In addition, there is the French inscription "25e anniversaire du ruban rose 1992-2017" (German: 25th anniversary of the pink ribbon) in an arc on the back.
Criticism of the initiative
Pink Ribbons, Inc.
Samantha King, in her 2006 book, describes how breast cancer has been transformed from a serious disease and individual tragedy into a market-driven industry. In the opinion of critics, the pink symbol is increasingly being commercialized and is losing its original meaning of solidarity between those affected and those not affected.
Other meanings of the pink ribbon
The pink ribbon is also a symbol of the March of Dimes and the efforts in the fight against premature birth and the saving of babies. The pink ribbon also represents child cancer awareness.
More loops
- Yellow ribbon First "ribbon" - solidarity with troops
- Red Ribbon Direct example - solidarity with those infected with HIV
- White ribbon for violence prevention in relationships
- Black ribbon - sadness
- Overview of solidarity loops
Individual evidence
- ^ Sandy M. Fernandez: History of the Pink Ribbon. Reprinted from MAMM, June 1998, archived from the original on October 22, 2006 ; accessed on March 27, 2018 (English).
- ↑ Samantha King: Pink Ribbons, Inc.: Breast cancer and the politics of philanthropy . University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis 2006, ISBN 978-0-8166-4899-3 .
