The Estée Lauder Companies’ 2018 Breast Cancer Campaign

Every 19 seconds, somewhere in the world, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.* Significant progress has been made in the fight against the disease, but work must continue on to change this sobering statistic. This year, The Estée Lauder Companies' Breast Cancer Campaign (The Campaign) is creating urgency around the need to take action now through a simple but universal call: it’s #TimeToEndBreastCancer.

For anyone facing a breast cancer diagnosis, time takes on a whole new meaning. Time is precious, finite and can’t be bought. Virtually everyone, regardless of country, age, lifestyle or values, continues to be affected by this disease that knows no boundaries. With this year’s Campaign, The Estée Lauder Companies is firm on its commitment - it’s time to fund more research, education and medical services that bring us closer to a cure, and give patients all over the world more time to live better, healthier lives.

In 1992, Evelyn H. Lauder co-created the iconic Pink Ribbon and started The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign, setting in motion a long-term movement that inspires hope, not only in patients but in the millions of people touched every year by breast cancer. A year later, she founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF), a non-profit organization, to generate funding solely dedicated to breast cancer research. To date, The Campaign has raised more than $76 million globally, funding 250 medical research grants through BCRF ($62 million from total funds raised) and is active in more than 70 countries around the world.

Progress in the fight against breast cancer has been made and The Campaign’s impact is prevalent. Breast cancer mortality rates have decreased by 39% since the late 1980s**, and five-year survival rates are better than 90% when breast cancer is found early***. Treatment and surgery has progressed, too: treatments are now being customized to a person’s type of breast cancer, and surgery is not as invasive.

Still, there is work to be done. William P. Lauder, Executive Chairman of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., continues to champion the work of his late mother, stating, “The Breast Cancer Campaign leverages the best of what we do as a company to positively impact people and communities around the world. When my mother, Evelyn Lauder, started The Campaign in 1992, she had a clear vision: To end breast cancer. Through the unwavering support of our employees, partners and consumers around the world, we come closer and closer to a cure and to making her dream a reality through sustained investment in education and research.”

To mark the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign is releasing a powerful video series titled, “Seconds Matter.” The moment someone is diagnosed with breast cancer is the moment that life changes. Time slows down. These moments are challenging, beautiful and real. The 2018 Breast Cancer Campaign focuses on the concept of time and the effect that breast cancer has from both a personal and universal perspective. In long and short form videos, we see life through the eyes of people faced with breast cancer. The videos are narrated by longtime Global Ambassador for The Campaign Elizabeth Hurley, who states, “Every 19 seconds, somewhere in the world, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer,” and ends with an urgent call-to-action that “It’s time to end breast cancer.”

Hurley said, “I’m fortunate to witness first-hand the immense impact of The Campaign worldwide. From a woman telling me she got a mammogram because she heard our important message about early detection, to seeing the impact that the research we are funding has on science, patient care and treatment – all bringing us closer to a cure. Advancing breast cancer research and supporting education and medical services has offered hope to so many battling the disease. Breast cancer truly affects us all, and I am so proud to be part of this global movement that continues to bring us hope for a world without breast cancer.”

The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign is setting a fundraising goal of $8 million, and launching efforts worldwide to inspire action, increase education and awareness and raise funds:

Illuminating buildings, monuments and landmarks worldwide in glowing pink lights to raise awareness of breast health – including the Empire State Building, New York City; the Eiffel Tower, Paris; and Lotte World Tower, Seoul
A social call-to-action to join the mission to create a breast cancer-free world by inspiring the global community to share why it’s #TimeToEndBreastCancer and tagging @esteelaudercompanies
Distributing informational brochures and pink ribbons at The Estée Lauder Companies’ beauty brand counters worldwide
Mobilizing 46,000 employees to positively impact communities and unite in action
Driving donations to BCRF through ELCompanies.com/BreastCancerCampaign

“The Estée Lauder Companies is dedicated to creating positive change worldwide, exemplified by the inspiring work of The Breast Cancer Campaign. We take our responsibility to be global corporate citizens to heart, and The Campaign is a fundamental pillar of our family values. We always strive towards fulfilling the mission of The Campaign to create a breast cancer-free world,” said Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

The following brands of The Estée Lauder Companies will support The Campaign's mission: AERIN, Aveda, BECCA, Bobbi Brown, Bumble and bumble, Clinique, Darphin, DKNY, Donna Karan, Estée Lauder, GLAMGLOW, Jo Malone London, La Mer, Lab Series, Origins, Prescriptives, Smashbox, Tom Ford Beauty and Tory Burch. Each will contribute by selling Pink Ribbon Products or making donations to BCRF and/or other charitable organizations around the world. The assortment differs by country and organization.

The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign wants everyone to know: it’s time. It’s time to continue raising awareness. It’s time to increase education. It’s time to unlock more clues about causes and prevention. The movement is stronger than ever, with a message that couldn’t be simpler: it’s “Time to End Breast Cancer.”

To support The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign, visit ELCompanies.com/BreastCancerCampaign.

* GLOBOCAN 2012 report, International Agency for Research on Cancer

** American Cancer Society Cancer Facts and Figures 2018

*** American Cancer Society Understanding Breast Cancer Survival Rates