Wearing Pink with Purpose: A Survivor’s Wake-Up Call to Early Detection

Dear readers, you may find yourselves feeling a little overwhelmed by the flood of pink decorations, awareness ribbons, and events that fill the month of October. It’s easy to feel detached from it all, as if breast cancer awareness has become just another tradition—something we acknowledge with half-hearted participation, perhaps by wearing pink to work or donating a small amount. I’ll admit, I used to feel the same way. That is, until today.

October has become synonymous with breast cancer awareness. Many companies hold pink-themed events to show support. This morning, like many others, I rolled out of bed thinking about what pink clothes I had for our office event. Little did I know, the day would change the way I look at breast cancer forever.

The turning point came when our guest speaker from Europa Donna, Rimona, took the stage. She wasn’t just there to share statistics or general advice; she was a survivor, having faced breast cancer not once, but three times. Listening to her speak felt like a slap in the face, a cold shower waking up all of my senses. Suddenly, breast cancer wasn’t just a distant concept, something that happened to other people, somewhere far away. It became real, painfully so. I could feel my denial cracking, that mental mechanism we all use to keep unpleasant realities at bay.

Her story brought the reality of breast cancer crashing into my world. It’s something we fear but avoid thinking about, as if not acknowledging it will make it disappear. We don’t want to consider the possibility that one day this could be our reality—the reality of our friends, colleagues, relatives, or family. She put it perfectly when she said, “When we think about cancer, we often think of death,” as if they’re inseparable—two dancers who cling to each other until the last note of the song. But here she was, standing before us, dancing on her own. Her partner was no longer the spectre of death but her own love for life, her determination, and the support of those around her.

What struck me most wasn’t just Rimona’s survival, but how it happened. She credits her early detection for saving her life, three times. This wasn’t a passive miracle, but the result of active self-checks and regular screenings. We’ve all read about the importance of these things, but hearing it from a three-time survivor made it feel crucial rather than optional.

We should embrace a positive relationship with our bodies, to be attentive and proactive. We need to think of our body as a plant, you don’t avoid watering a plant because you’re worried it will eventually die. Instead, you nurture it, trimming away damaged leaves so that the healthy ones can flourish. The goal is growth, not avoiding death. In the same way, we must tend to our own bodies—pay attention to signs, get regular check-ups, and act with the hope of progress.

It’s easy to forget this or push it aside. We’re all busy, and many of us live with a subconscious belief that bad things happen to “other people.” But Rimona’s face reflected something more powerful than fear—hope. It wasn’t naive hope, but the kind born from fighting and surviving.

Her message was clear: early detection is everything, and being proactive about your health can save your life. But beyond that, she reminded us to stop living in denial. We cannot avoid thinking about breast cancer because it scares us. Instead, we must face it, acknowledge the risks, and do everything we can to stay ahead of it.

Yes, October is full of pink ribbons, social media posts, and fundraisers. And while it may feel overwhelming or even performative at times, we should remind ourselves of the real stories behind the awareness campaigns. These symbols aren’t just for show; they represent survivors like Rimona, people whose lives were saved because they took action. They represent hope and determination.

So, let’s not just wear pink or participate in awareness activities because it’s tradition or expected of us. Let’s do it with purpose. Let’s remind ourselves and each other to take care of our bodies, to get those check-ups, and most importantly, to support one another in the fight for life, not in the shadow of death. Because if Rimona can beat cancer three times, we can certainly beat our own denial.

Written by Liridona Dega

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