Ariana Capel

Messenger Staff Writer

Some think Breast Cancer Awareness Month has turned into a thoughtless pink ribbon, not actually honoring those who have fought it, survived it, passed away from it, or still fighting it.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) was founded in October of 1985, as a way to raise awareness about all the women who have had breast cancer.   Almost everyone knows the pink ribbon symbolizes breast cancer.  Most people have seen or posted the “pass it on” pink ribbon on Snapchat, a mobile app that allows people to send and receive self-destructing photos and videos.  But many feel that people are more focused on the pink than the actual people fighting breast cancer, and their life changing experiences.

“I think over the years, October has changed from a handful of people actually honoring women fighting breast cancer, to a pink themed month, hardly honoring people fighting breast cancer,” said Placer freshman Sara Clavien.

Many former breast cancer patients feel the same way.  Although breast cancer awareness month is appreciated by many, some feel it could be better represented than just a pink ribbon.

“It’s ok, I guess, as far as it goes; one month a year of ‘pink madness.’ I think, as a breast cancer person myself, I’ve gotten kind of tired of it.  As far as the pink ribbon goes, I just wonder why pink? When I was going through treatment, there was nothing pink about it.  I think it could be better represented by blue maybe,” said Jan Treat, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006.

Other people who are involved in the breast cancer community really appreciate BCMA.  They believe it empowers woman, invites people to donate and help out and strongly feel it raises awareness.

“I think it’s wonderful. I think Breast Cancer Awareness Month is great thing, it raises a lot of awareness.  I feel that a lot of people want to do something about breast cancer but they are too busy with their daily lives to make an effort. I think Breast Cancer Awareness Month  motivates people to help the cause,” said Gail Skowronski, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006.

Students around placer are doing different things to raise awareness, whether it’s socks, shirts, bracelets, pins, bows, and drawings.  But in general they all have the same theme – pink.

“The first thing I think of when I hear ‘breast cancer’ is color pink and breast cancer awareness walks.  I think women fighting breast cancer feel less alone and more empowered by Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said Placer freshman Gwendolyn Richards.

Still, the topic brings up a great deal of controversy.   Everyone has their own opinion about the

topic.