Breast Cancer Awareness Month

What is the month of October known for? I bet your first guess was Halloween. Well that’s right AND another important thing October is known for is breast cancer awareness month. Pink ribbons everywhere bring awareness to the cause. Activists have reclaimed October and renamed it national breast cancer industry month to bring attention to the important need for preventative care and check-ups and the urgency to find a cure. So where did the pink ribbon come from?

Ribbon symbolism started in 1979 when Penny Laingen, the wife of a soldier taken hostage in Iran, tied yellow ribbons around trees as a signal of her hope for her husband to return. In 1990, AIDS activists debut their looped red ribbons on the Tony Awards.

In early 1992 a story came out about 68 year old Charlotte Haley making peach colored ribbons in her home, to raise money for her daughter, sister, and grandmother who all had breast cancer. 

“Haley was strictly grassroots, handing the cards out at the local supermarket and writing prominent women, everyone from former First Ladies to Dear Abby. Her message spread by word of mouth. By the time Liz Smith printed her phone number, Haley had distributed thousands.” ~ Sandy M. Fernandez of BreastCancer Action 

 

 As the word spread quickly Estée lauder and SelfMagazine contacted Haley and asked to use her ribbon and she refused. She wanted nothing to do with them, so after consulting with lawyers they opted to choose the color pink, which they say was feminine, soothing, comforting and healing.

“In fall 1992, Estée Lauder makeup counters handed out 1.5 million ribbons, each accompanied by a laminated card describing a proper breast self-exam. They collected over 200,000 pink ribbon petitions urging the White House to push for increased funding for research.” ~ Sandy M. Fernandez

Now ribbons and the color pink are used everywhere to help bring breast cancer awareness. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer deaths have decreased 34% since 1990. A few years ago we stared raising money here at the campground to donate to the cause because it is close to our hearts. We’ve had survivors work and reside here; and close friends and family battle the disease as well.  On October 5 we had about 25 participants in our annual walk. We are also selling t-shirts in the front office for $18 each. They are super cute and we’ve already sold over 80. We still have limited sizes available. All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

So come on in or come on down and help support this great cause. We’ll be doing it again next October too! And as always if you have any ideas as to how we may improve or come up with ways to raise money, we love to hear your feedback so please feel free to leave comments or email us at piratelandmarketing@gmail.com.

Submitted by Crew Members Ebony Delong and Vickie Carmody

*Information in article obtained from thinkbeforeyoupink.org.