With so many worthy causes around these days, it can be difficult for one cause, no matter how worthy it is, to gain national or international attention. Without a doubt there has been a great proliferation in the number of worthy causes, charitable organizations, non-profit groups, and awareness movements in the past two decades. As support mounts for a variety of well deserving charitable organizations and causes, it can be difficult for one specific organization or cause to gain the attention and momentum it deserves and needs to get going.

With these goals in mind—to gain momentum for the cause and well deserved recognition and attention—a trend has developed in recent years to bring attention to a variety of well deserving causes and organizations. The number one way that so many of these worthy organizations have managed to place themselves in the public eye is through the use of colored ribbons and other accessories. Although there are several peripheral accessories now available, including t-shirts, bracelets, and even jewelry, colored ribbons remain the most recognized symbol of many causes.

Perhaps no other cause has touched so many lives in recent times than that of cancer. Cancer, although treatable if caught early in many forms, is still one of the most devastating illnesses that affect thousands of lives in the United States alone each year. Fortunately, there has never been more awareness or attention brought to several well deserved organizations and causes that are dedicated to ending cancer in all its forms. Here is a highlight of the top cancer causes and their color symbol.

Pink Ribbons: Without a doubt this is the most recognizable color in the fight against cancer. The color pink has become well known as a symbol in the battle against breast cancer. You can now find pink ribbons on just about anything: mugs, t-shirts, pens, caps, and even commemorative jewelry. There are also many special edition pink items such as household blenders and toasters. Campbell’s soup recently put out a limited edition pink design on its iconic red and white tomato soup cans in support of breast cancer fighting organizations, with proceeds going to these organizations. In the fight against breast cancer, pink has become a powerful color.

White Ribbons: White ribbons are also a powerful symbol of support. White ribbons are most commonly used in support or in commemoration of bone disease or bone cancer patients or victims. There are also many other causes that have adopted the white ribbon.

Black Ribbons: Black ribbons are used in support of patients suffering from skin cancer, or melanoma. Like white ribbons, black ribbons are also used in support of various other causes.

Orange Ribbons: Orange ribbons have also been adopted as the color of support for a variety of worthy causes. For cancer patients, orange ribbons symbolize support for patients suffering from leukemia. The orange ribbon is another powerful sign of support for patients and victims of this illness.

Yellow Ribbons: Of course, you all know yellow ribbons as a powerful symbol of support for military troops and victims of natural disaster, terrorist attacks, or lost children. The yellow ribbon is perhaps one of the most iconic symbols of support, and is often adopted by whole communities at once. For cancer patients, victims, and their families, the yellow ribbon also symbolizes a powerful symbol of support for patients or victims of liver disease and liver cancer.

Green Ribbons: Green ribbons have also been used a color of support for many important causes. One of these is kidney cancer or kidney disease. Individuals show support for the patients or victims of kidney cancer using green ribbons.