A Brief History of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month was born in 1985, with the early goal of educating women about breast cancer and early detection tests so that they could take charge of their breast health. One of the key goals of the awareness campaign was to promote mammograms as an essential tool to be used in the fight against breast cancer. The first nationwide campaign that utilized the pink ribbon was in 1992 by Estée Lauder cosmetics. The company gave out 1.5 million of them, ushering in the pink ribbon as the premier visual reminder of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
During October, pink ribbons are now ubiquitous symbols of breast cancer awareness as we celebrate breast cancer survivors and encourage them to share their stories. The month is also dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research and other related causes.
How Crossville Gets Involved & How Helping Hand Grants Help Where They’re Needed Most
While a month of awareness can be a powerful thing, we at Crossville have made our efforts to support those facing breast cancer a year-round endeavor. Every month of the year, we contribute a portion of proceeds from two of our glass tile collections—Glass Blox and Convergence—to The Common Thread for a Cure.
The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation supports individuals in the interior design and furnishing industries who are fighting breast cancer by offering financial assistance through confidential Helping Hand Grants to assist in areas where insurance does not apply. CTFTC is industry-specific, which means the Helping Hand grants help our coworkers, clients, and friends throughout all levels of the industry – from manufacturing to design and installation. Crossville has been a longtime supporter of CTFTC because the design community is our community.
Helping Hand grants can be used for whatever the survivor feels will provide the most benefit. Not only can the grants pay for deductibles and offset other out-of-pocket medical expenses, they can be used for childcare while receiving treatments, prosthetics prior to reconstruction surgery, transportation to and from treatments, car and home insurance costs, taxes, and the list goes on. Think about all the the financial obligations one faces every day —CTFTC grants help take care of any daily needs of those in the interiors industry fighting for survival.
Over the foundation’s lifetime, many companies and individuals have contributed, and Crossville is honored to have been recognized as one of its “Thread of Honor” sponsors. The foundation announced it has now surpassed $1 million in donations, with more than 300 individuals having received grants. Please join us in supporting The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation.
Ways to Honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Wear a pink ribbon every day in October.
- Organize a walk/run in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
- Collect scarves and hats you can donate to breast cancer patients.
- Encourage the women in your life to get regular mammograms.
- Convert your Amazon shopping to Amazon Smile and designate Common Thread for the Cure as the recipient of donations.
And if you’re planning to use glass tile for your next project this month or any month of the year, we invite you to consider Convergence or Glass Blox. Both tile lines are beautiful and versatile, and in selecting them, you are making a charitable contribution to families when they need it most.
Get Involved with CTFTC
You can help The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation in may ways:
- If you know someone affiliated with the furnishings and design industries who is currently battling breast cancer, please tell them about The Common Thread for the Cure and the Helping Hand Grants.
- Make a monetary donation to The Common Thread for the Cure.
- As a company, or as an individual, donate funds for a Helping Hand Grant.
- Specify or purchase year-round sponsors’ designated products that benefit the foundation.
- Ask the company where you work to support The Common Thread for the Cure through financial contributions, corporate sponsorship, or a fundraising event.
- Attend, sponsor, or volunteer at one or more of the industry fundraising events held throughout the United States.
- Spread awareness of The Common Thread for the Cure to friends, co-workers, and companies within the furnishings and design industries.
