Courage in Pink: Overcoming Breast Cancer Together
Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a symbol of global unity in the battle against breast cancer. It goes beyond the surface-level pink-themed activities to serve as a compelling call to action, raising awareness of the disease’s pervasiveness, impacting individuals globally regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or socioeconomic condition.
The month emphasizes the need of early identification and prevention by disseminating information about indications, symptoms, and risk factors. Early detection is critical for improving treatment efficacy and survival rates. This global effort emphasizes the need of international cooperation in providing support, raising awareness, and encouraging preventative measures, with the ultimate objective of not just curing but also preventing breast cancer.
The Pink October: Origins & History:
Breast Cancer Awareness Month, often referred to as Pink October, is an annual campaign designed to increase awareness of breast cancer and raise funds for research, prevention, and support for those affected by the disease.
The Birth of a Movement: The roots of Breast Cancer Awareness Month can be traced back to the 1970s when the women’s health movement gained momentum.
The Beginnings of the Pink Ribbon: In 1980, a woman named Charlotte Haley began distributing peach-colored ribbons to raise awareness about breast cancer. The ribbon had a personal connection to her, as it was inspired by the struggles of her daughter, sister, and grandmother with the disease.
Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Role: In 1991, the Susan G. Komen Foundation distributed pink ribbons to participants in its Race for the Cure event. This marked the transition from peach to pink ribbons and helped establish the symbol for breast cancer awareness.
GEM x La Ligue contre le Cancer
La Ligue contre le Cancer is a charity which relies on the generosity of the public and the commitment of its volunteers and employees. The foundation is apolitical and financially independent, with 103 departmental committees spread across the entire national territory and beyond. As a pivotal player in improving life trajectories in the face of cancer, La Ligue contre le cancer works for all users of the healthcare system.
GEM recognizes the importance of creating awareness about significant social and health issues, including breast cancer, and often engages in various initiatives during Pink October. This year, GEM welcomed La Ligue on Monday 16th October to promote breast cancer awareness.
Interview with Patricia LEPAUVRE: “Triumph over Adversity — A Breast Cancer Survivor’s Journey”
Patricia Lepauvre, 62 years old, is the mother of two adult sons and she also has two grandchildren. With a career spanning more than 30 years in the hospitality industry, where she worked alongside her husband.
We interviewed Patricia, a survivor who faced the challenge of battling breast cancer not once, but twice. Her first encounter with breast cancer was in 2000, and she bravely faced it again in 2023. Patricia triumphed in both instances, and in her well-deserved retirement, she radiates a remarkably positive outlook on life. She passionately shares her valuable advice with other women, offering them strength and guidance in their fight against this disease.
Support Platforms:
Whether you’re looking for emotional support, reliable information or simply a safe space to share your experiences, this selection of support groups and communities aims to give you some ideas on how to find the support you need.
- “Cancer support France” : https://csflanguedoc.com/how-we-can-help
If you’re dealing with a newly diagnosed cancer, or need help understanding the French healthcare system, Cancer Support France can be your lifeline. Please email helpline@cancersupportfrance.org or call: 0800 240 200.
- “Mon Réseau Cancer” : https://www.monreseau-cancerdusein.com/#/
A social platform available on the App Store and Google Play. It enables users to engage in constructive conversations with people, it also offers a multitude of informative resources, including fact sheets, educational videos and free access to a selection of books, all designed to enhance your understanding of the disease and its treatment options.
- Social Media Networks
Online platforms and social media have changed the way people interact and participate, allowing users to connect, share experiences, and meet like-minded others who can relate to their difficulties, whether they be medical or personal in nature.
You can also become an active role player in this cause by:
- Donate to fund research and patient support (such as: https://www.ligue-cancer.net/)
- Show your support by wearing pink ribbon and sharing it on social media using the hashtag #PinkOctober.
- Share personal stories to inspire hope; Here are some interesting blog links sharing personal & real-life experiences (https://www.lbbc.org/blog, Natali.ca, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Stupid Dumb Breast Cancer, Nancy’s point)
- Volunteer your time with breast cancer associations:
RubanRose (https://www.cancerdusein.org/lassociation#:~:text=En%20France%2C%20depuis%201994%2C%20l,contre%20le%20cancer%20du%20sein.
Vivre Comme Avant: https://www.vivrecommeavant.fr/
Voix des Patients: https://www.voixdespatients.fr/cancer-du-sein-5-associations-aux-cotes-des-femmes.html - Participate in awareness events such as walks or runs,
- Encourage loved ones to get regular screenings,
- Make conscious shopping choices to support businesses that donate to the cause.
It is crucial to underscore the significance of raising awareness about breast cancer within our own communities. By initiating conversations, sharing resources, and participating in community events, we not only contribute to the collective fight against breast cancer but also create a supportive network that can save lives and inspire positive health outcomes for years to come.
Every action counts, What’s yours ?
Do you want to help ? Please donate on: https://www.gustaveroussy.fr/fr/faire-un-don-contre-le-cancer-du-sein
https://www.helloasso.com/associations/patients-en-reseau/formulaires/1
About this article
This article has been written by students of the Grenoble Ecole de Management’s Advanced Masters in Digital Strategy Management (English Track). As part of a content creation assignment, students are given the task of writing articles based on human causes & events and disseminating the articles online. Articles are marked but we make minimal changes to the content. Thanks for reading! James Barisic, Programme Director, MS DSM.
