National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is here, and we’re striving to do our part to help in the fight against what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports as one of the most common cancers affecting women. According to the CDC, each year in the U.S. more than 200,000 people contract breast cancer and more than 40,000 deaths occur.
History of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Founded in 1985 by the American Cancer Society and Imperial Chemical Industry’s pharmaceutical division, the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) began working towards their goal to promote mammography. Since its inception, the month-long campaign aimed at increasing awareness of this potentially life-threatening disease has grown exponentially. Today, October is acknowledged and promoted all over the world as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Beginning of the Pink Ribbon
The ubiquitous pink ribbon, as well as the color pink was tied to breast cancer awareness in the fall of 1991. During a Race for the Cure event in New York City, the Susan G. Komen Foundation decided to hand out pink ribbons to participants. They got the idea from red ribbons that had been given out to promote AIDS awareness.
After the ribbons were distributed at that race, the pink ribbon caught on everywhere. In 1993, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation was established in order to promote research for a cure. They adopted the pink ribbon as their symbol. One of the co-founders of the organization, Evelyn Lauder, was a senior executive at Estée Lauder Companies. She had a hand in distributing the ribbon throughout stores in New York City.
Worldwide Awareness Campaigns
Since the establishment of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the pink ribbon has made its way around the world as a feminine symbol of good health and goodwill. Businesses, like The Pink Plumber, now display the color pink as well as pink ribbons to represent their support of women and their dedication to the fight against breast cancer.
In addition to providing superior plumbing repair services, The Pink Plumber is proud to donate five percent of net profit to breast cancer research. This means The Pink Plumber’s clients also contribute to the cause. For answers to any plumbing questions you may have, contact The Pink Plumber today.
