GO GOLD®! GOLD RIBBON AWARENESS
The widespread use of ribbons as symbolic representations of a particular message or campaign in America began during the Iran hostage negotiations, when the yellow ribbon became a medium to spread the message of hope, solidarity, and awareness about that crisis. Since then, ribbons have played a powerful role in countless awareness campaigns, including causes such as: AIDS (red ribbon), breast cancer (pink ribbon), suicide prevention (yellow ribbon), and many others. Ribbons send a clear message without saying a single word, which allows them to transcend language barriers and have far-reaching global impacts.
The international awareness symbol for Childhood Cancer is the gold ribbon. Unlike other cancer awareness ribbons, which focus on a singular type of cancer, the gold ribbon is a symbol for all forms of cancer affecting children and adolescents.
History of the Gold Ribbon
Approximately 20 years ago, when the ACCO was known under its former name, the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation (CCCF), the gold ribbon was chosen to serve as the universal symbol for Childhood Cancer Awareness by CCCF board member Gigi Thorsen and a group of parents whose lives had been affected by childhood cancer.
Although many colors were considered, gold was agreed upon as the ideal choice for childhood cancer awareness because gold is a precious metal, and is therefore the perfect color to reflect the most precious thing in our lives—our children.
The CCCF funded production of the first gold ribbons in 1997 (in the form of lapel pins), and thanks to the dedication and commitment of this group of parents during the early years of our organization, the gold ribbon has now become an internationally-recognized symbol for childhood cancer awareness.
Today, the ACCO continues to utilize the emblematic power of the gold ribbon to build momentum for our campaigns, allowing individuals from all over the world to unite in solidarity behind this unifying symbol and to join in the ongoing fight for the eradication of all forms of childhood cancer.
Looking for Help?
ACCO offers FREE Books & Resources for Families of Children with Cancer
Help Spread Awareness by Going Gold!
The ACCO motto “Go Gold®” was adopted as an ACCO program in 2010 to describe multiple opportunities for children, families, corporations, and schools to help spread awareness about childhood cancer. There are many ways you can personally support our cause and/or encourage your family, school, or workplace to get involved and join in the fight to beat childhood cancer:
- Organize a GO GOLD for Kids with Cancer Event®: each event raises crucial funds to provide information and support materials for children currently fighting cancer. These events also help spread awareness about current childhood cancer issues while creating supportive communities for local families who are dealing with the medical, emotional, and financial consequences of childhood cancer.
- Help facilitate the development of a Corporate Partnership to increase the number of products that display the Gold Ribbon (see Become a Partner**hyperlink)
More children in the United States lose their life to childhood cancer than to any other disease. Cancer is the number one non-communicable cause of death of all children in the world, regardless of where they live!
For more information about the American Childhood Cancer Organization and how we can help, call 855.858.2226 or visit: