Breast Cancer Ribbon

The Symbol

The breast cancer ribbon or the pink ribbon is a powerful symbol meant to increase awareness about breast cancer. Many breast cancer foundations have adopted it to express their affiliation to this cause. Several companies worldwide engaged in the fight against breast cancer are encouraging people to purchase pink ribbons and donating part of the money to breast cancer foundations.

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was the first to use pink ribbons as a symbol of breast cancer awareness. Susan G. Komen used to hand out breast cancer ribbons to breast cancer survivor participating in the Race for the Cure in 1990.

Breast Cancer Month

October is the international breast cancer awareness month. This time of the year, foundations, community organizations and companies worldwide try to enhance people's sensibility on breast cancer issues and  raise money from donations.

All months people are encouraged to wear breast cancer ribbons in the memory of those who died from this disease as well as to honor the survivors. Money raised from these ribbons are donated to breast cancer foundations. These funds are supposed to help find a cure for breast cancer and help sufferers who can't afford to pay for a treatment. Individuals are encouraged to join the fight against breast cancer by wearing pink ribbons.

How to Make a Breast Cancer Ribbon?

You can make a breast cancer ribbon yourself very easily, without sewing.

You will need the following items:

·       3 inches of ¼ inches wide pink ribbon

·       1 safety pin

·       pink thread and needle (optional)

What items you need to attach a  breast cancer ribbon:

·       A safety pin

·       Double stick tape

Directions:

1.    Cut a pink 3-inches long ribbon and snip both ends at an angle.

2.    Lay it out horizontally with the short edge on top.

3.    Hold down its midpoint. Fold the left end so that it points down and a bit across the midpoint. The fold can be either a crisp line or a soft curve.

4.    Fold the other end so that the ribbon crosses itself about half an inch under the fold.

5.    Use a small pin to hold it in the point where it crosses and conceal it behind the ribbon

6.    Use the same pin to attach the breast cancer ribbon to your lapel or collar. To do this, you have to remove the pin from the pink ribbon holding the fold with your fingers. Work from the inside of the cloth to pin the ribbon.

Another option is to sew the folded ribbon by hand or by machine in the point where it crosses itself with some pink thread. You can also use superglue to hold it together and then some double stick tape or a pin to attach it to your collar or lapel.