What is Pink October?

Pink October is a national movement supported by the association Pink ribbon, which highlights two major issues: the importance of early detection of breast cancer and the need for donations to support research.

Early detection is critical in the fight against breast cancer. It makes it possible to identify possible abnormalities at an early stage in order to prevent the onset of symptoms:

• From the age of 25, gynecological follow-up is recommended once a year, including annual palpation by a health professional;
• From the age of 50, mammography screening is recommended every two years. This examination is a medical procedure that is 100% reimbursed;
• Self-palpation, performed at home, also makes it possible to detect possible abnormalities.

Beyond medical prevention, Pink October is also a universal symbol of solidarity and hope, represented by the famous pink ribbon. It unites patients, families, associations, businesses and citizens around the same cause: to reduce breast cancer!

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Why should businesses commit to Pink October?

Breast cancer in figures

Today, 1 in 8 women are at risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime: it is the most common cancer in women with more than 58,000 new cases each year. Men are also affected with 1% of breast cancer cases.

Fortunately, early detection significantly increases the chances of recovery: breast cancer detected early heals in 90% of cases.

Sources: Carenews and Gustave Roussy (2021).

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A human, social and professional challenge

Businesses are also affected by Pink October, as their employees may be directly or indirectly affected by the disease. Pink October is an opportunity for managers to learn how to better support their teams in the management of the disease and for employees to support the movement and become aware of the importance of screening.

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A lever for cohesion and a sense of belonging

Pink October is also an opportunity to create moments of sharing and solidarity within the company. By participating in shares In common, employees come together around a cause that goes beyond the professional framework and strengthens the links between teams.

These initiatives make it possible to:

• Breaking taboos linked to cancer and promote more free speech about health and prevention;
• Strengthen internal solidarity, by showing that the company is taking concrete action for its employees affected directly or indirectly by the disease;
• Valuing collective commitment, by giving meaning to work and by strengthening the feeling of belonging to a responsible and inclusive organization.

By transforming Pink October into a unifying highlight, the company promotes a committed internal culture and shows that it places solidarity at the heart of its project.

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How to mobilize your employees against breast cancer?

Make your employees aware of screening

To raise the awareness of your employees, you can broadcast every week or make available to your employees:

• An awareness-raising video, like the clip directed by TEVA and Ruban Rose;
• La information brochure on breast cancers from the Ruban Rose association;
• One video of initiation to self-palpation of the breasts.

Also to read: Everything you need to successfully raise awareness among your employees

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Donate for research

Les financial donations from companies to associations are decisive in the fight against cancer.

In your company, you can launch a donation campaign with your employees, but also increase donations to multiply your impact!

In particular, you can donate to The League Against Cancer, an association that fights on all fronts of the disease: research programs, support for patients, disease prevention...

Donations to an association entitle you to a tax reduction. You benefit from a 66% reduction on the amount of your donation if you are taxable on income. And almost 60% reduction in corporate tax.

Also to read: Corporate donations to associations: decryption

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Participate as a team in a solidarity race against cancer

Each year, numerous solidarity races raise funds for associations. You can participate in the Odyssea breast cancer race with your colleagues or loved ones: a friendly, sporty and committed moment!

To find out more about races near you, go to The Odyssea site.

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Give a heart pillow with The League Against Cancer

What if you made a heart cushion to give to an operated person? You can organize a collective sewing session with your colleagues and submit your creations to the committee of The League Against Cancer close to your premises.

The committee will then distribute the heart cushions to women who have undergone breast cancer surgery. To find out more, discover The League Against Cancer DIY Heart Pillow sheet.

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Donate your hair with Fake Hair Don't Care

Since 2016, the association Fake Hair Don't Care creates tailor-made wigs, handmade in France, for people with cancer. All types and types of hair are accepted to create wigs as long as they are healthy and measure 10 cm in length!

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Implement a policy to support sick people

To facilitate the care or reintegration of employees affected by this disease, you can for example:

• Offer your employees suffering from cancer educational aesthetic care workshops with the association Beautiful & good ;
• Join the community of committed businesses Cancer @Work and support the integration, retention in employment and the quality of life at work of sick people.

Also to read: Combating discrimination in business: good practices

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Engage your business with associations for Pink October

In France, there are numerous associations that fight against breast cancer. Whether it is a question of making a donation or an action, employees can mobilize to Support them in their actions.

Some examples of associations:

• Seintinelles connects researchers working on cancers and citizens so that they can participate in their studies, in order to accelerate research processes.
• Europa Donna France aims to raise awareness, inform, support and facilitate access to the best care. It is associated with the work of thought in the world of oncology.
• My Pink Bonnet gives women at the end of cancer treatment the opportunity to pass on their hats, and to those in financial difficulties to be equipped cheaply or free of charge.
• Sisters of Ink supports women affected by breast cancer, physically through artistic reconstructive tattooing, and psychologically through social and professional reintegration by promoting confidence and self-esteem.

Also to read:
‍3 ways to mobilize as a company in the fight against cancer
The CSR highlights guide

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Velvet: a company committed to fighting breast cancer

Velvet Consulting, a consulting firm in Marketing, Sales and Customer Relations and a partner of Komeet, has been committed to Pink October for several years.

At the origin of the initiative, Camille, communication manager, herself diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. With other Velvetians, they decided to create a Pink Team Velvet: a small team responsible for carrying out actions in favor of breast cancer awareness internally and externally.

In addition to an awareness-raising day (Pink Day) and poster campaigns on their premises in October, Velvet allows its employees to make a concrete commitment to supporting patients with the disease.

Camille tells us:

“In 2019, we started offering Velvet teams the opportunity to make cushions that relieve the pain associated with breast cancer surgery.“. The approach was renewed in 2020 and the cushions were donated to the clinic where Camille was treated.

To go further in the process, Velvet wanted to allow its employees to commit themselves all year round, as Camille explains:

“Pink October is just one month. But the fight against breast cancer must be daily. We therefore proposed to the clinic to support patients all year round in their return to work.”

Velvet employees can thus support patients in their search for a job or their return to the company. From coaching to group workshops, employees respond to the concrete needs of patients: how to approach the subject with HR? How to deal with possible therapeutic or physical problems? How do you update your resume or prepare for interviews?

As Camille explains:

“This allows us to make ourselves useful in concrete terms, for a cause that is really important to us.”

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Create your highlight with Komeet

Easily mobilize all your employees around CSR highlights with Komeet. Thanks to our engagement platform, our animation kits and the support of our experts, create rituals and gradually integrate engagement into your corporate culture!

Our engagement platform offers access to dozens of turnkey actions and an integrated impact measurement to enhance your internal and external commitment and strengthen your CSR approach.

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