The Pink Legacy

Many people are familiar with the pharmaceutical company I work for because of a particular saying at the end of commercials for AstraZeneca (AZ) products. At the end of every AZ advertisement, it says, if you can’t afford your medications, AstraZeneca may be able to help you.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) was founded in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of ICI (now part of AstraZeneca). From the start, NBCAM has aimed to promote mammography as the most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer. The pink ribbon was first used as the official symbol of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Organization in 1992.

In 1993, Evelyn Lauder, Senior Vice President of the Estée Lauder Companies, founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and established the pink ribbon as its symbol. However, this was not the first time the ribbon was used to symbolize breast cancer. Evelyn, daughter-in-law of Estée, developed breast cancer but died of ovarian cancer in 2011. In the fall of 1991, the Susan G. Komen Foundation handed out pink ribbons to participate in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors.

Giant steps have been made over the last 30 years to both raise awareness and make it a more acceptable discussion topic, but sadly, over a third of patients are diagnosed at the advanced stages of the disease. Breast Cancer affects more Caucasian women, but African-American women have a higher mortality rate.

The facts about Breast Cancer:

Do You Know the Warning Signs of Breast Cancer:

Some of the great reminders for October’s Breast Cancer Awareness:

The NFL is covered in pink every October for Breast Cancer Awareness. The pink initiative began in 2009.

The earlier that breast cancer is detected, the better the outcomes will be for the patient.

Breast Cancer Prevention:

So, back to the saying at the end of the AstraZeneca commercials, in 1978, it was found that breast cancer was being detected at advanced stages. There seems to be a correlation between advanced stages of cancer and the ability to afford cancer medicine. An intern at AstraZeneca suggested a way for breast cancer patients to have enough money for their medication.

So, what can a pharmaceutical company do to help people afford their medicines? A lot! At that time, the AstraZeneca Patient Assistance Program was developed to help women with breast cancer and any medications in AstraZeneca’s product portfolio.

So, some 35 years later. The AstraZeneca Patient Assistance Program is still going strong, not just for breast cancer medications but all the different medicines manufactured by AZ. Pharmaceutical companies usually get a bad rap for the cost of drugs. However, in 2013, AstraZeneca provided nearly $975 million in savings to more than 567,000 patients in the United States through the Patient Assistance Programs.

For more information about the AstraZeneca Patient Assistance Program, call 1-800-AZandMe (292-6363). Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET, with any questions regarding the program, eligibility requirements, or the application process.

Astra Zeneca is one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. It is heartwarming to know that I work for a company instrumental in the pink legacy.

Wear pink as often as you can this month to remind all women of the importance of monthly breast exams and the necessary mammogram for early detection. We can win this battle; let’s each do our part to support the pink legacy.

Have a fabulous week!