Butterflies, Cardinals, and Pink Ribbons: A Letter from Autumn

AwarenessAdvocacyCommunityStoriesHealth
Written By Autumn Price

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and for me, it will always be personal. My grandmother lost her life to breast cancer, and her memory stays with me in everything I do. She loved butterflies and cardinals, and now whenever I see them, I’m reminded that she is still with me — a quiet presence, a symbol of strength, and a reminder of why this fight matters.

The reality is sobering:

  • 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

  • In 2024 alone, it is estimated that around 310,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.

  • About 43,000 women will die from the disease this year.

Behind these statistics are families like mine, navigating diagnosis, treatment, survival, or loss. Each number represents a face, a voice, a life forever changed.

Awareness saves lives. Early detection through mammograms, clinical screenings, and self-exams is vital. Conversations about health, family history, and risk factors can make the difference between early intervention and late discovery.

This month, I honor my grandmother’s memory by carrying her story forward. I also stand with the survivors who continue to inspire us, the warriors still fighting, and the families who carry the weight of loss.

🖤🎀 If you or someone you love needs resources, here are places to turn:

  • National Breast Cancer Foundation: www.nationalbreastcancer.org

  • American Cancer Society: 1-800-227-2345 | www.cancer.org

  • Susan G. Komen Foundation: www.komen.org

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about remembrance, action, and hope. It is about honoring those we’ve lost, supporting those in the fight, and creating a future where fewer families know this kind of grief.

For me, every pink ribbon is more than a symbol. It is a promise — to remember, to act, and to never give up on hope.

— Autumn Price, Executive Digital Director (IT), The Campbell House Cares

📑 References

American Cancer Society. (2024). Key statistics for breast cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). What is breast cancer? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/what-is-breast-cancer.htm

National Cancer Institute. (2024). Breast cancer statistics. National Institutes of Health. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/breast.html

Susan G. Komen. (2024). Breast cancer facts & statistics. Susan G. Komen Foundation. https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/facts-statistics/

National Breast Cancer Foundation. (2024). Breast cancer facts. National Breast Cancer Foundation. https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/about-breast-cancer/

Autumn Price
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