Every October, we honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month - “Pink October”,  as a meaningful moment to remember those affected, to raise awareness, and to stand together in hope and strength. At VIP Marketing, this year feels even more personal. Behind the screens, behind every campaign, there are lives disrupted by this disease and stories of courage we want to share so no one feels alone.

Why Breast Cancer Awareness Month Matters

• Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the U.S.
  
  
• In 2025, an estimated 316,950 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, along with tens of thousands more cases of noninvasive forms of the disease.
  
  
• Statistics show that roughly 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer over the course of their lifetime.
  
  
• Advances in screening, treatment, and awareness have led to fewer deaths from breast cancer, but the journey toward ending it for good continues.
  
  
• Globally, October unites voices and stories under the pink ribbon - the symbol of strength, survivorship, and commitment to a cure.

That’s why every “pink ribbon,” every early screening, every shared survivor story matters. As the World Health Organization puts it: “Every Story Is Unique. Every Journey Matters.” 

Our Stories: From the Hearts Behind the Team

At VIP Marketing, we don’t just work on campaigns, we are family. This October, we want to share two deeply personal journeys of love, faith, and resilience from our team’s mothers. We don’t reveal every detail, but these stories remind us of what’s at stake.

Paula Schmidt’s Journey -  Faith in Every Step

When Paula Schmidt, mother of our colleague Paul from Craft Creative, was diagnosed in January 2020, it came as a shock. The news felt impossible to fathom. But she was determined: her priority was clear - “get the cancer out of my body.”

She made the courageous decision to undergo a double mastectomy, guided by her faith, the strength of her husband, her children, and her sisters. Her faith, she often says, was tested and ultimately sustained her. Today, she shares encouragement for those walking a similar path: there will be good moments and bad, days you feel weak and those you feel invincible. Her wisdom: take it a minute at a time.

Paula’s journey is a living testament to what many survivors express: the road is hard, but you do not travel it alone.

Paige Pyle’s Triumph - The Power of Early Detection

Another voice in our community is Paige Pyle, mother of Maximilian at VIP. She walked through her diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma with questions, fear, and uncertainty. What makes her story especially striking is how she emphasizes the power of early detection. Because of mammograms and screening, her cancer was found at a stage where treatment could intervene effectively, a fact she regularly underscores now.

Coming from a family with no known breast cancer history, Paige reminds us that cancer doesn’t always announce itself. She became her own advocate, learning every step of her journey, asking questions, trusting her medical team, and leaning on her support system. Today, she describes herself as a survivor and pledges to keep fighting, sharing hope, and pushing for cures for future generations.

Her story resonates deeply: screening works, voices matter, and love sustains us. She is a survivor, an advocate, and an inspiration to everyone at VIP Marketing.

More Than Words: Taking Action Together This October

Awareness isn’t passive. October's pink ribbon to raise awareness is a symbol of resilience, yet symbols must translate to action. Here are meaningful ways you and your community can join the cause:

         1. Educate & Share

• Post stories, statistics, and resources on social media. Use hashtags like #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth or #PinkOctober.
  
  Raise awareness in People: share “things to do for breast cancer awareness month” with workplaces, schools, clubs, or on local boards.
  
  2. Promote Screening & Early Detection

• Remind loved ones to get mammograms, especially if they’re 40 or older (or earlier, depending on family history).
  
  Teach and practice breast self-examinations, so everyone knows their baseline.
  
  Advocate for better access to diagnostic care in underserved communities.
  
  3. Support Survivors & Caregivers

• Volunteer or donate to breast cancer charities.
  
  Be present: send meals, offer a ride to appointments, or simply listen.
  
  Host fundraisers, awareness walks, or light buildings in pink.
  
  4. Commit to Research & Policy

• Encourage policy that ensures equitable access to care.
  
  Support cancer research organizations.
  
  Amplify voices pushing for innovation in breast cancer treatment and prevention.

Standing Together for Hope & Strength

October is not just about wearing pink, it is about action. Remind your loved ones to get screenings. Share stories and resources. Support survivors and caregivers. Give, volunteer, and keep the conversation going.

At VIP Marketing, we wear pink as more than a symbol. It is a promise to stand with those affected and to keep pushing for early detection, better care, and a cure.

If you or someone you love is on this journey, please remember: you are not alone. 💗

Hope lives here - in every survivor, every story, every shared moment of strength. Minute by minute. Day by day. Together, we move forward in hope.

~The VIP Marketing Family