As most of you know by now, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Breast Cancer charities were among the first to really popularize “cause-related shopping”, as you’ll see from the sheer number of “pink” items you see around you this month. What started as a simple gesture of the Susan G. Komen Foundation of handing out pink ribbons to participants in a 1991 race in New York City has in the last twenty years turned into a phenomenon, with large and small companies designing “pink ribbon” products where a portion of proceeds goes to charity. While most of these pink products donate a portion of proceeds to breast cancer charities, perhaps the most important thing that they contribute is conversation. Whether you have a pink fishing pole, pink basketball, or my personal favorite, a pink Kitchenaid stand mixer, each of these things can start a conversation which can save a woman’s life.
This month, I’m happy to highlight some of the more exciting promotions and events that some great companies have in store for Breast Cancer Awareness month. The first is an auction by Kohls for some very unique artwork which started last week and continues to October 4.
The online auction offers ribbon sculptures designed by professional artists, with proceeds benefitting the Southeast Wisconsin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, where Kohl’s corporate headquarters is located. Called the “Every Ribbon Tells a Story” initiative, Kohl’s commissioned artists to design 16 unique six-foot-tall ribbon sculptures, each depicting the artists’ personal connections to breast cancer and acting as a symbol of hope and support for those affected by breast cancer. The ribbons will be available for auction at www.KohlsCaresRibbons.com beginning Saturday, September 24 through Tuesday, October 4. Each sculpture is 6 feet tall and weigh about 80 pounds.
