Frequently Asked Questions
Getting a ribbon
How to participate
Lung cancer’s bad rap
Why another awareness organization
Members
Preparing for a conversation
Tax-deductible donations
Who can have a ribbon?
YOU CAN! Our ribbons are in the hands of patients, friends, social workers, doctors, nurses, researchers, stage I patients, caregivers, pharmaceutical executives, cancer center administrators, family members, ALK+ survivors, EGFR-positive patients, individuals getting treatment, people experiencing no evidence of disease, and more. Our ribbons are handmade with love by volunteers working with their local communities and cancer centers. In order for this grassroots movement to grow and be able to gift everyone impact by lung cancer, their is a great need for ribbon building and distribution.
How can I participate?
To participate:
You can be inspired.
You can find connection.
You can realize you are part of a supportive group.
You can request a ribbon.
You can sponsor a ribbon for someone else.
You can support The White Ribbon Project.
You can start a conversation about lung cancer.
You can reach out to others.
You can share pictures on social media.
You can tell your story.
Why does lung cancer get such a bad rap?
Decades of public health campaigns have left the public uneducated about their risk of developing lung cancer. In addition, failures in public health education to accurately represent lung cancer have led to delayed diagnosis and treatment and negative opinions surrounding lung cancer. These negative opinions are one of the reasons why lung cancer research receives only of fraction of funding compared to other cancers while remaining, by far, the deadliest cancer for both men and women.
The reality is that no one “deserves” lung cancer, and a person’s smoking history is irrelevant to the level of care and concern they receive in the lung cancer community. We are here for you, no matter who you are.
Why do we need another lung cancer awareness organization?
The White Ribbon Project is much more than just an awareness organization. By sharing physical ribbons made with love, with a personal note on the back, we are reaching out personally to each recipient to say “You are loved,” “Your story is important,” and “You are not alone.” The White Ribbon Project is a way for all of us to come out of hiding and band together in an effort to change the dialogue around lung cancer.
We aim to share positive stories and images of the faces behind researchers, patients, caregivers, medical professionals, and friends and relatives of anyone connected to the disease.
We aim to make the white ribbon an internationally recognized symbol of hope.
We aim to educate.
We gather to make ribbons.
We gather to share our stories.
·We gather to heal.
We gather to encourage each other.
The community we are forming is gaining momentum as a positive force to change the face of lung cancer. We have the power to change the narrative around lung cancer and we advocate 365 days a year - no more waiting until November!
Where can I find members of The White Ribbon Project?
Right now we are just getting started! Look for members in pictures and messages on Instagram and Twitter. We set up an accessible public Facebook page to share messages. We are growing quickly and anticipate that local groups across the United States, Canada, and other countries throughout the world will want to connect in their own online communities.
At the time this website went live, 35 ribbons had been made in The Netherlands, and big events are happening there. There have been social media posts from Germany, and people in Ireland, Belgium, England, and Finland are all very keen to join in The White Ribbon Project. We are a broad community, including not only patients, survivors, and caregivers, but also oncologists, surgeons, administrators, and many others including many in the medical and psychosocial oncology community.
Furthermore, other lung cancer organizations such as LUNGevity, GO2, IASLC, and others have been very supportive of The White Ribbon Project.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through the details in maintaining a uniform “look” for The White Ribbon Project ribbons while supporting the diverse interests and activities of our members as they support the group’s mission and goals.
How can you prepare for a conversation about lung cancer?
Use your white ribbon to start conversations within your community! Instead of saying “Did you smoke?” ask about the ribbon. Starting on a positive note empowers advocates, and they can lead the conversation to important topics. These ribbons have changed the narrative about lung cancer and are changing people’s hearts and minds.
Because a simple hand-crafted ribbon, made with love, became a symbol to start a conversation, we have to be ready to start that conversation! You can say:
“Have you heard of The White Ribbon Project?”
“Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of both men and women and it is the least funded of all the cancers. Why do you think that is?”
“Did you know anyone with lungs can get lung cancer?”
“The White Ribbon Project is about inclusion and awareness and changing what is widely assumed about lung cancer.”
“We make and share white ribbons with a personal message on the back as a way to connect the diverse lung cancer community.”
“The ribbons are actually very meaningful to those who receive them.”
“Without awareness, there is no understanding, and without understanding, there is no support.”
What contributions to The White Ribbon Project are tax-deductible?
The White Ribbon Project is now a Non-Profit/501C3.
Monies spent on obtaining a ribbon or sponsoring a ribbon for another member are not tax-deductible. These monies are paid in the interest of providing goods or services to an individual.