What does the pink ribbon mean?

What does a pink ribbon stand for?

A pink ribbon says three things: that you care about people affected by breast cancer, that you remember those who have died, and that finding breast cancer early matters. People wear it on clothes, add it to profile pictures, and see it on products sold to raise money.

Where did the pink ribbon come from?

The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign was founded in 1992 by Evelyn H. Lauder, with the launch of the pink ribbon, which she co-created with Alexandra Penney, then editor-in-chief of Self magazine. The ribbon spread quickly and is now used by breast cancer organisations around the world.

For the fuller story, including how October became pink, read our pink ribbon history.

Source: The Estée Lauder Companies: the Breast Cancer Campaign

Is there a pink ribbon emoji?

Not exactly. Emoji sets include a reminder ribbon (🎗️), which most phones show in yellow or gold, and a pink heart (🩷). Many people use the two together, or a pink ribbon image, for breast cancer awareness posts.

Source: Emojipedia: reminder ribbon

How can I use the pink ribbon to help?

• Pair it with a reminder to check your breasts or chest regularly so you know what is normal for you, and to see a GP or doctor about any change.
• Encourage friends and relatives to go for breast screening when invited. In England, women aged 50 up to their 71st birthday are invited every 3 years.
• If you buy a pink product, check how much goes to charity first.
• Give directly: every £25 can fund one complete screening for a woman who has never been examined.

Sources: NHS: how to check your breasts or chest; NHS: who breast screening is for; Breast Cancer Charity: how we estimate the cost of a screening