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Awareness Ribbon Colors and Meanings: A Complete Guide to Ribbon Pins

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Custom awareness ribbon pins in different colors

Awareness ribbons use color to show support for a cause, and most colors stand for more than one cause. Pink is best known for breast cancer, green for mental health, red for HIV/AIDS and blue for child abuse prevention and colon and prostate cancer. Use the chart below to find what each ribbon color means and when its awareness month falls.An infographic showing 35 cancer awareness ribbon colors and associated awareness months, including breast cancer, lung cancer, leukemia, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and other cancer types.

Awareness Ribbon Colors and Meanings Chart

Ribbon colorWhat it stands forAwareness month or day
PinkBreast cancerOctober
RedHIV/AIDS, heart disease, drug abuse prevention, drunk driving preventionWorld AIDS Day (Dec 1), February, Red Ribbon Week (Oct 23–31)
BlueChild abuse prevention, colon cancer (dark blue), prostate cancer (light blue), law enforcementApril, March, September
GreenMental health, organ donation, kidney diseaseMay, April, March
Lime greenLymphoma, mental healthSeptember, May
PurpleDomestic violence, Alzheimer’s disease, pancreatic cancer, epilepsy, lupusOctober, June, November
LavenderAll cancersWorld Cancer Day (Feb 4)
TealOvarian cancer, sexual assault, PTSDSeptember, April, June
OrangeLeukemia, multiple sclerosis, kidney cancer, self-harm, ADHDSeptember, March, October
YellowSupport for troops, suicide prevention, sarcoma and bone cancer, endometriosisSeptember, July, March
GoldChildhood cancerSeptember
WhiteLung cancer (white or pearl), ending violence against womenNovember, White Ribbon Day (Nov 25)
BlackMelanoma, mourning and remembranceMay
GrayBrain cancer, diabetesMay, November
SilverParkinson’s disease, brain disordersApril
BurgundyMultiple myeloma, sickle cell diseaseMarch, September
PeriwinkleStomach cancer, esophageal cancer, eating disordersNovember, April, February
Teal and purpleSuicide preventionSeptember
Pink and bluePregnancy and infant lossOctober 15
RainbowLGBTQ+ prideJune
Zebra stripeRare diseasesRare Disease Day (last day of February)

Ribbon meanings can vary by country and organization. If you are making ribbons for a campaign, check which color the charity you support uses.A custom red awareness ribbon enamel pin featuring glossy red enamel, polished gold-tone metal outlines, a dimensional folded ribbon design, and a white background.

What Does a Blue Ribbon Mean?

Custom Grow a Mo blue awareness ribbon enamel pin

A blue awareness ribbon has several meanings, and the shade often tells you which one:

  • Blue: child abuse prevention, worn especially during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April
  • Dark blue: colon cancer, with awareness month in March
  • Light blue: prostate cancer and men’s health, with awareness month in September
  • Blue (thin blue line): support for police and fallen law enforcement officers

Outside of awareness campaigns, a blue ribbon also means first place at fairs, shows and competitions. See our blue ribbon pins and mustache blue ribbon pins for men’s health campaigns.

Mental Health Awareness Ribbon Colors

The green ribbon is the international symbol for mental health awareness and is worn most during Mental Health Awareness Month in May. Lime green is also widely used. Several related causes have their own colors:

  • Green or lime green: mental health and depression awareness
  • Yellow, or teal and purple: suicide prevention (September)
  • Orange: self-harm awareness (March 1)
  • Teal: PTSD awareness (June)
  • Periwinkle: eating disorder awareness (some groups also use blue and green)

Schools, hospitals and mental health charities often order green ribbon pins to hand out in May.

Cancer Ribbon Colors

Lavender represents all cancers. Each type of cancer also has its own ribbon color:

  • Breast cancer: pink
  • Prostate cancer: light blue
  • Colon cancer: dark blue
  • Lung cancer: white or pearl
  • Ovarian cancer: teal
  • Childhood cancer: gold
  • Leukemia and kidney cancer: orange
  • Pancreatic cancer: purple
  • Lymphoma: lime green
  • Melanoma: black
  • Brain cancer: gray
  • Multiple myeloma: burgundy
  • Sarcoma and bone cancer: yellow
  • Stomach and esophageal cancer: periwinkle

For survivors, we also make cancer survivor ribbon pins.

Custom Awareness Ribbon Pins from PeaKeen

custom awareness ribbon pins in different colors
Ribbon pins are an easy way for charities, hospitals, schools and companies to raise funds and spread awareness. As a pin factory, we make custom awareness ribbon pins in any color and any quantity your campaign needs.

1. Choose Your Ribbon Color

Pick the color your cause uses, or combine two colors in one ribbon, such as teal and purple or pink and blue. We match colors to Pantone so your ribbons look the same across every order.

2. Pick a Finish

  • Soft enamel for bright color at a lower cost
  • Hard enamel for a smooth, polished, jewelry-like look
  • Glitter enamel, gold or silver plating and rhinestones for a special touch

3. Add Your Cause

Add your charity name, logo, a date or a short message to the ribbon. Printed backing cards can carry your cause’s story, a QR code or a donation link, which makes the pins ready to sell or hand out at events.

FAQ

What do the different ribbon colors mean?

Each awareness ribbon color stands for one or more causes. For example, pink is for breast cancer, green for mental health, red for HIV/AIDS, purple for domestic violence and Alzheimer’s, and lavender for all cancers. See the chart above for the full list.

What color ribbon is for mental health?

Green, often lime green, is the ribbon color for mental health awareness. It is worn most during Mental Health Awareness Month in May.

What does a blue ribbon pin mean?

A blue ribbon pin most often stands for child abuse prevention. Dark blue is used for colon cancer, light blue for prostate cancer, and blue also shows support for law enforcement.

Can I order ribbon pins in my own color and design?

Yes. We make custom ribbon pins in any color, shape and finish, with your logo or message and free artwork before production.

Planning an awareness campaign or fundraiser? Contact us for free artwork and a quote on custom ribbon pins, or browse all our lapel pins.

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