Colors of Cancer: Promoting ribbons of every color

Everyone knows the pink ribbon promotes awareness of breast cancer. But what about burgundy, lime green and black ribbons?A new awareness campaign - “Circle of Hope” - is aimed at helping bring recognition to a rainbow of cancers that patients struggle with every day.Natalie Krohn’s affliction is rarely recognized, and she set out to change that. “I have leiomyosarcoma and until I got into the research of the ribbons, I didn’t even realize there was an official recognition period of my disease,” Krohn said. “Like most cancer survivors - we all know about breast cancer, but have no idea that there are opportunities for other cancers to be recognized as well.”Without knowing it, Krohn became a spokeswoman of sorts for those whose cancers don’t receive regular recognition.“When I was in the Cancer Center for an appointment in November, I noticed that they had a small box of ribbons out for pancreatic cancer awareness. I got up my gumption and mentioned to the secretary that it was also lung cancer awareness month,” Krohn said. “She then mentioned that they didn’t have any ivory ribbons.”Krohn went home and took action. “I went out on a limb and sent the cancer center 100 ribbons of every color along with a calendar of all of them. I sent a nice note to Dr. (John) Michalak and explained that I feel this effort needs to be all or nothing.”Krohn’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed A story in the Sioux City Journal drew hundreds of responses, and the Cancer Center saw the value of Krohn’s campaign.Since then, the Cancer Center has created a T-shirt, and leads regular promotional efforts centered on each of 27 different cancers.A flag at the Cancer Center and colored ribbons help promote awareness of this rainbow of cancers that until last year went mostly unnoticed.Krohn said she hopes the effort adds comfort for those whose disease isn’t well known. “There is nothing worse than coming in and seeing ribbons everywhere, and to know that no one even knows that you have a color too - or that it is your month also.”With her advocacy, patients at June E. Nylen Cancer Center will never face that fate again.