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Breast cancer tableau
Breast cancer tableau
Breast cancer chair portraits
Breast cancer tableau process

Pinking

A selection of pink ribbon products

The 'Pink" of the Breast Cancer Awareness Movement began in Charlotte Haley's kitchen in 1992 when she made and distributed thousands of peach colored ribbon pins in honor of diagnosed friends and relatives.  Around the same time, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation began handing out bright pink visors to survivors running in its 'Race for the Cure'. Self Magazine and Estee Lauder Cosmetics became interested in the ribbon idea and called Haley, but she didn't want to hand off her grassroots project. So Self Magazine and Estee Lauder, in discussion with the Komen Foundation, decided to change the ribbon color from salmon to pink.

In 1993 Estee Lauder gave out 1.5 millions pink ribbons on cards describing proper preventative breast self-examination at department store counters. Today thousands of companies 'put on pink' every October. Many advocates feel this positive attention build awareness for a disease that affects 1 out of 8 women during their lifetime.

Others question the motivation of businesses that 'pink' various and sundry products. As one advocate noted, "breast cancer is a disease, not a marketing opportunity." The Breast Cancer Action Committee urges consumers to "Think before you pink." Before buying a pink ribbon product, find out how much money actually goes toward breast cancer research and services. Thoroughly read packages and visit corporate websites to ascertain actual percentages of proceeds donated to breast cancer charities. Fine print reveals that promotions may reap from 100% to nothing for the cause.

This section is based in part on "Pretty in Pink," by Sandy M. Fernandez.
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