| Colors send distinct messages. Subconsciously, we've | | | | awareness ribbons will show your support for |
| been trained to respond in a variety of ways to | | | | immensely worthwhile causes. |
| practically every color of the rainbow. For instance, | | | | Internationally - in the United States, Canada, |
| green is almost always associated with "go" (green | | | | Australia, the United Kingdom and other countries - |
| lights), the coming of spring as well as freshness and | | | | ribbons have swept our awareness… just as they |
| also trust. Orange, according to color psychologists, | | | | were meant to do. Here's a comprehensive list of |
| denotes energy and enthusiasm. This is probably why | | | | ribbon colors and what the organizations/diseases |
| the champions of causes chose to use colored | | | | represent. |
| ribbons when supporting their beliefs. | | | | RED: Aids Awareness |
| As far back as 1917, singer/songwriter George | | | | BLACK: Aids Remembrance or Mourning |
| Norton penned the song, "'Round Her Neck She | | | | PINK: Breast Cancer |
| Wears A Yellow Ribbon." A revised version was later | | | | YELLOW: Military Support |
| used in the movie "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon." The | | | | LIGHT BLUE: Prostate Cancer |
| words recount the tale of a young girl waiting for the | | | | TEAL: Ovarian Cancer |
| return of her love who was serving in the military. In | | | | GOLD: Child Cancer |
| 1979, yellow ribbons saw resurgence as Penne | | | | GREY: Diabetes or Brain Cancer |
| Laingen tied this symbol around her tree when her | | | | GREEN: Leukemia or Organ & Tissue Donor |
| husband, US diplomat Bruce Laingen, was held captive | | | | LIGHT PURPLE: Lupus or Alzheimer's |
| during the Iran hostage crisis. | | | | PURPLE: Disabled Children, Domestic Violence, |
| But yellow isn't the only symbol of hope. What's the | | | | Religious Tolerance |
| first thought that comes to mind when you see a | | | | DARK BLUE: Child Abuse, Crime Victim's Rights, Colon |
| pink ribbon? Breast cancer. In 1992, at the hands of | | | | Cancer |
| Self magazine editor Alexandra Penney and cosmetic | | | | WHITE: Gender Violence |
| giant Estee Lauder, the ribbon symbol was adopted | | | | ORANGE: Animal Protection |
| as the icon for the National Breast Cancer | | | | GREEN & BLUE: Mental Health Awareness |
| Awareness Month campaign. The color pink was | | | | RED, WHITE & BLUE: Patriotism |
| chosen and the new emblem was quickly adopted by | | | | JIGSAW PUZZLE: Autism |
| the American public. | | | | BURGUNDY: Brain Aneurysm, Hospice Care |
| There are others as well… many others. Red was | | | | LAVENDER: Cancer Awareness |
| chosen as the ribbon color for Aids awareness | | | | PERIWINKLE: Eating Disorders |
| because it represents passion. Yellow was chosen for | | | | BROWN: Anti-Tobacco |
| military support because it is the official color of the | | | | LACE: Osteoporosis |
| U.S. Calvary. | | | | PINK & BLUE: Miscarriage, Infant Death |
| Ribbons or Lapel Pins | | | | Do you know someone who suffers from a disease |
| While many people actually purchase and cut pieces | | | | or condition? Are you holding a rally or charity event |
| of ribbon to pin to their lapels, others have opted for | | | | to raise money for research? Would you like to show |
| a more convenient method. While cloth ribbons wear | | | | your support of others? Schools, businesses, |
| out quickly, purchasing custom ribbon lapel pins gives | | | | organizations and individuals are all joining forces to |
| you a permanent piece of jewelry to wear | | | | show the world what they believe in by wearing |
| repeatedly. Whichever option you choose, wearing | | | | ribbon lapel pins. Won't you join them? |