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The iconic pink ribbon has inspired increased awareness of the fight against breast cancer in Hong Kong, as we learn from William P Lauder and Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation’s Eliza Fok
For over 30 years, October and pink ribbons have been synonymous in the fight against breast cancer.
What not everyone realises, however, is that it was Evelyn Lauder of The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) who co-created the pink ribbon in 1992 when she launched the ground-breaking ELC Breast Cancer Campaign.
“My mother always said that if we were going to find a cure for breast cancer, it would be through the efforts of a group rather than one person,” says William P Lauder, ELC executive chairman and Evelyn’s son, adding: “She taught me the importance of inspiring people to come together”.
As the campaign enters its 31st year, Lauder has lived that life lesson, and continues his mother’s legacy of inspiring people to unite against breast cancer—as does Dr Eliza Fok, chairman of Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation (HKBCF), a non-profit charitable organisation dedicated to mitigating the threat of breast cancer in the local community.
A breast cancer survivor herself and as head of the HKBCF (a long-time collaborator with The Estée Lauder Companies), Fok has seen for herself how the pink ribbon campaign has benefited the Hong Kong community, from event sponsorships to the city’s annual Pink Walk fundraiser and complimentary skincare and make-up sessions offered to cancer patients by the staff of The Estée Lauder Companies.
“Since we began partnering with The Estée Lauder Companies in 2006, we have focused not only on raising awareness of the disease, but also on enhancing health education, providing support for patients at different stages of breast cancer, and subsidising mammograms for those who are in need,” says Fok. “ELC also supported our 2014 Pink Bus initiative, a mobile health unit that reached many communities and attracted more than 4,500 visitors.”
Lauder places a great deal of value on Fok’s local insights; it’s the many small efforts that accumulate to create large-scale change. He notes that over the past three decades, the ELC Breast Cancer Campaign and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation have funded over US$131 million for research, education and medical services, with more than US$103 million raised for scientific research through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). In particular, that funding has supported breakthroughs in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. There has been an over 40 per cent improvement in breast cancer mortality rates in higher income countries since the late 1980s, because of earlier detection and improved treatment.
Thanks to the research, experts have a better understanding of the genetic risks linked to breast cancer, which has helped streamline screening and prevention. Improved diagnostic tools also pinpoint chemotherapy needs. But, as both Lauder and Fok agree, the fight continues.
“The fact remains, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide—and we are committed to achieving a breast cancer-free world for all,” declares Lauder.
