Founded in 1985 in a partnership between the American Cancer Society and several pharmaceutical corporations, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) began with the aim of promoting mammography as the most effective weapon against breast cancer. It wasn’t until 1991 that the Susan G. Komen Foundation handed out pink ribbons (based off of the popular AIDS ribbons) to participants in its New York City breast cancer survivor race, that the symbol became synonymous with the cause. Since then the pink ribbon has become a global symbol of awareness. International landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, Sidney’s Harbor Bridge, Constantine’s Arch in Rome have also been bathed in pink light during October. In 2004 global Pink Hijab Day was founded with the hope that wearing pink would encourage those curious about Islam and hijab to ask questions to dispel misconceptions. In Boston, October is kicked off with the five-mile Making Strides of Boston walk. Throughout the month, the city hosts numerous events ranging from nightclub fundraisers, such as the Slater Foundation’s Halloween for Hope to benefit the Ellie Fund, to informational conferences such as Harvard Medical School’s Breast Cancer Forum, which includes lectures and panel discussions specifically geared towards younger women.
Here at Brandeis, Colleges Against Cancer has been raising awareness about breast cancer since 2007. The club was founded simultaneously with Relay For Life, and in 2010 the two merged due to their overlapping agendas. This October CAC is posting educational facts about breast cancer outside of the SCC as well as conducting “pink bombs” throughout campus. For students looking to get involved, CAC is hosting two exciting events. Firstly, a committee is working to arrange public events, in which speakers can educate students on cancer-related topics (time and date TBD). Secondly, CAC is working with Relay for Life to put on a coffeehouse on Oct. 20 from 8:00-10:00 p.m. in Chum’s to spread awareness and recruit students for the 2015 relay, which will take place on Mar. 28, 2015 from 5:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m.
Finally, if you don’t have the time to participate, you can at least feel good about donating! During October, participating Panera Bread bakery-cafés in New England will donate 25 cents to a cancer charity for every Pink Ribbon Bagel purchased. Additionally many chain and local stores offer similar donation opportunities. So if nothing else, buy pink!