Breast Cancer Jewelry Makes A Difference

Did you ever wonder about the story behind breast cancer jewelry?

In the 1990's, Charlotte Haley, had a daughter, a sister and a grandmother all with breast cancer. To put it mildy, she was hit hard by breast cancer and decided to start finding out more. She found out that funding was grossly mishandled. Hayley decided to make and distribute peach ribbons with cards that read: "The National Cancer Institute annual budget is $1.8 billion, only 5 percent goes for cancer prevention. Help us wake up our legislators and America by wearing this ribbon."

Self magazine wanted to use Haley's ribbon idea, but she refused saying that would be too commercial. The idea was simply to good to let pass by, so, the magazine changed the color to pink and continued on with their own breast cancer awareness campaign.

Next, Self magazine partnered with Estee Lauder where the pink ribbons were distributed at makeup counters around the country along with self examination cards and more information on how to petition Congress to increase funding for breast cancer research.

Pink was chosen because the color of pink is considered "soothing, comforting and healing", all of the things you want for breast cancer jewelry, as well as it's strong association with femininity. The pink ribbon soon became recognized as a worldwide symbol for breast cancer awareness.

Breast cancer jewelry can do many things. I know, it is only jewelry, but don't underestimate it's power. It has helped in making tremendous strides again breast cancer.

Increasing awareness means numerous things including preventions, detection, compliance with treatment as well as raising funds for research.

But perhaps the most important thing breast cancer jewelry can do, is to let those that are affected by breast cancer, not feel alone! When a person goes through a difficult situation of any kind, knowing you are not alone is the biggest gift you can give someone. Having breast cancer or a loved one with breast cancer, and then seeing a stranger wearing some form of breast cancer jewelry, makes you feel like you can win, you can beat it, and again, most importantly, you are not alone!

You may wonder, how can you wearing breast cancer jewelry make a difference? Try thinking of it like this...what if you are wearing some form of breast cancer jewelry and You are the reason that somebody has some hope! What if by You wearing a piece of breast cancer jewelry, it reminds someone to get their mammogram, what if.....

Regardless of what type of breast cancer jewelry you choose to wear, you have the added bonus of knowing that in wearing this jewelry you are promoting awareness and, in doing so, are part of a community that is saving lives daily.