Five Things to Know About National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

1. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was established in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries (now part of AstraZeneca, maker of several anti-breast cancer drugs) to promote mammography as the most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer. 

2. In October 1983 the first Race for the Cure was held in Dallas, Texas, where 800 people participated. By 2002 the number of participants reached 1.3 million.

3. In the fall of 1991, the Susan G. Komen Foundation handed out pink ribbons to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors.

4. In 1993 Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of the Estee Lauder Companies, founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and established the pink ribbon as its symbol. 

5. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month the Empire State Building will be lit pink on October 14, 15, and 16.