New Ribbon Pin Promotes Thyroid Cancer Awareness

The newest addition to thyroid cancer awareness efforts is the Thyroid Cancer Ribbon Pin, created by thyroid cancer survivors to help promote education, patient and family support, and research.

The ribbon pin features a unique color combination to represent the cancer ranked as the number one cancer in incidence growth in women in the United States, and number three in men.

The pin is available from the national nonprofit organization ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.. The ThyCa web site provides a photograph of the new pin, as well as the order form. Half of the proceeds from each pin’s purchase will support thyroid cancer research.

The Ribbon Project resulted from the initiative of thyroid cancer survivor and ThyCa volunteer Leah Guljord of Florida. She also is ThyCa’s Assistant Board Chair, Facilitator of the ThyCa Spacecoast Support Group, and Editor of ThyCa’s free Low Iodine Cookbook.

The new pin comes in the traditional shape and size of awareness ribbons. It highlights the three thyroid cancer awareness colors: blue, pink/purple, and teal. Thyroid cancer survivor Cherie LC selected these colors more than five years ago as part of her volunteer contributions to ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association. She noted that blue represents the throat energy center, purple/pink represents spiritual influences in healing, and teal is a healing color.

“By wearing this pin you will help others by making them aware and educating them about thyroid cancer,” says Leah Guljord. “The pin comes in time for Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week September 13-19, 2004, sponsored by ThyCa, and also will help raise awareness throughout the year. We invite everyone to help increase awareness and education about thyroid cancer.”

She also notes that thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer. It affects people in all age groups from young children through seniors and comes in several types and variants. She added that yearly detection and treatment, long-term monitoring, and patient and caregiver support are crucial elements in thyroid cancer care.

Free thyroid cancer awareness brochures featuring actress Catherine Bell, co-star of the hit TV series JAG, are available from ThyCa by mail. Individuals and health care professionals may request brochures by sending their mailing address by e-mail to thyca@thyca.org, by fax to 1-630-604-6078, or by mail to ThyCa Brochures, PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545. In addition, the free Low Iodine Cookbook and many other free materials are downloadable from ThyCa’s web site.