It all began in 1989 when Evelyne Lauder, vice-president of the Estée Lauder group and founder of Clinique, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
In 1993, she created The Breast Cancer Research Foundation to support the world’s leading medical researchers and scientists. Estée Lauder then distributes pink ribbons in its stores every October.
In France, the first campaign dates back to 1994, the Estée Lauder France group and Marie-Claire joined forces to create the association Breast Cancer, let’s talk about it! which becomes in 2020 Pink Ribbon.
But why a pink ribbon? The ribbon is a symbol of fighting in different causes: the first woman to have made a ribbon the symbol of a struggle is the American Penney Laingen, to ask for the release of her husband, hostage in Iran. She used yellow ribbons, which she hung from the branches of the trees.
Subsequently, the red ribbon against AIDS, the color of passion and blood, was democratized in the 90s. At the same time in the United States, Charlotte Hayley distributed ribbons of peach color to raise awareness about the needs of cancer research.
Evelyne Lauder passed away on November 12, 2011: she has made the modest family business Estée Lauder one of the world leaders in cosmetics and will become a recognized symbol for her fight against breast cancer.
Today, wearing a pink ribbon is to show support for research in the fight against breast cancer, is to participate in the awareness of screening women in France and everywhere else
However, it is important to note that breast cancer can also affect men. It is certainly rare and less than 1% of breast cancers diagnosed affect men but it is indeed existing.
See you soon and until then take care of yourself,
Yasmeen <3