This Breast Cancer Ribbon Has a Different Take on Pink. Here’s What It Means

It's a sad fact that these days almost everyone knows someone who has suffered breast cancer. However, there is one fact that not everyone knows: About 30 percent of people with early-stage breast cancer who “beat” the disease will eventually see it return to stage IV, also known as advanced or late stage. metastatic breast cancer (MBK). This means that breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body, and this diagnosis means that the average life expectancy is only 24 to 36 months. MBC is the only form of breast cancer that is fatal. And yet, MBC kills 117 people every day in the US (“like a plane falling from the sky every single day“) and more than 670,000 people worldwide each year, less than 13 percent of the world's breast cancer research funds go toward researching new treatments for MBC.

A New Look at the Pink Ribbon

This shocking statistic explains why more and more people are choosing a revamped breast cancer awareness feed that thinks beyond the pink. Created in 1992 by Alexandra Penny, then editor-in-chief of the magazine. Myself Magazine, as part of the brand's Breast Cancer Awareness Month initiative, the instantly recognizable pink breast cancer ribbon is closely associated with early detection and honoring survivors, but MBC is not surviving, but simply buying time through treatment. As such, the Tri-Color Ribbon for Metastatic Breast Cancer aims to raise awareness of the need to direct funding toward the development of life-prolonging treatments. On this tape, developed and registered by the non-profit organization MBC. Metavivorgreen color symbolizes the triumph of spring over winter, life over death; turquoise symbolizes healing and spirituality; and a thin patch of pink ribbon signifies cancer originating in the breast. In recent years, the distinctive color palette has become more widely recognized and used, including on cloth and accessories that raise money for MBC research, such as the popular Faith is higher than fear bracelet from Little Words Project.

Game Changing Fundraising

One of the inspiring initiatives that has helped the MBC ribbon become popular is an annual event that sheds light on its colors and its reason—literally and beautifully. During #LightUpMBCMore than 270 iconic landmarks around the world are illuminated in turquoise, green and pink. Sites range from towering skyscrapers like New York's World Trade Center to natural wonders like Niagara Falls, and span 176 cities in all 50 states and beyond.

On Monday, October 13 (National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day), participants will be able to find a local landmark visit. Then at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT they can tune in to #LightUpMBC LIVELive coverage of MBC's inspiring stories told from illuminated landmarks around the world. This year's co-host/producer Tami Eagle Bowling– motivational speaker and 10 years of experience in stage IV of MBC – will be joined by Gina Naomi Baezactress, singer and songwriter, three-time cancer survivor who is currently developing Aprila Broadway musical inspired by her cancer journey. The live broadcast will feature powerful musical performances from Broadway stars Anne Hampton Callaway, Cara Lindsay, Mamie Parris and Stephen Grant Douglas; music from Grammy Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist Bootsy Collins and soul singer songwriter Jess Lamb; and pop star duo Em Beyhold and e.woolf. #LightUpMBC Live will also raise awareness of MBC's latest developments while raising funds to support groundbreaking research – 100 percent of net proceeds will go to METAvivor (you can see some of the research grants funded by the event). Here).