Evelyn Lauder who passed away in November of 2011, along with her friend Alexandra Penney, former editor-in-chief of SELF magazine created the Pink Ribbon campaign back in 1992 to bring awareness to breast cancer and remind women to get yearly breast exams.
Lauder herself had been diagnosed with the disease in 1989. In 1993 she founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation with the Pink Ribbon as its symbol. It has raised more than $350 million.
October being breast cancer awareness month will make us see pink. Every year companies and I don't mean only cosmetic companies, come out with "pink" products. One year I even purchased a pink travel coffee mug. How much of the profits went to breast cancer research is a mystery.
I believe some companies come out with pink products just to boost sales but other are genuine. Let's just be wise about our choices.
If you want to contribute to breast cancer reasearch, I think it's best to send a donation directly to your area's/country's breast cancer reacearch association.
In Canada donations can be made to: The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, or to the Canadian Cancer Society. There are of course many local support groups you may want to give to. Depending on where you live, a bit of reasearch may be required.
In Québec: Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation
