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Pink Ribbon

In 1989, Evelyn H. Lauder joined the Board of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and led a fundraising drive to establish the first-ever comprehensive breast and diagnostic center specifically designed with patients in mind. The Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center filled a void within the health care community and allowed women to take care of all their breast health needs under one roof. But it wasn't just women from local areas seeking help at the Center; it was women, as well as men, coming from all over the world. Mrs. Lauder realized that more had to be done to raise awareness about breast cancer. She knew that by reaching as many people as possible with the message that early detection saves lives and by supporting innovative clinical and translational research aimed at finding a cure, we could make a difference. Realizing that women of the world needed a voice, Mrs. Lauder initiated The Estée Lauder Companies' annual Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. In 1992, Evelyn H. Lauder, together with Alexandra Penney, then Editor-in-Chief of SELF magazine co-created the Pink Ribbon that today has become the worldwide symbol of breast health. The Company began publicizing the symbol by distributing Pink Ribbons at The Estée Lauder Companies' cosmetic counters. During the month of October (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month), the Company's employees host golf tournaments, walk-a-thons and bake sales, as well as other special employee-driven fundraising events, to raise funds for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). In addition, 15 of the Company's brands sell Pink Ribbon Products in support of their contributions to BCRF.