Introduction: For over 30 years, The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) has been at the forefront of the global fight to end breast cancer. The Breast Cancer Campaign was started by the late Evelyn H. Lauder in 1992, who co-created the iconic Pink Ribbon symbol. Hers is a legacy that has been carried on by her son, William P. Lauder, who continues his mother’s mission to end breast cancer for all.
To date, The Campaign has raised over US$118 million for lifesaving global research, education and medical treatments and US$93 million for funding medical research through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Celebrating The Campaign’s 30th anniversary, The ELC Charitable Foundation (ELCCF) has pledged an additional US$15 million to fund a new research initiative that aims to reduce racial and socio-economic breast cancer disparities. In addition, ELC Travel Retail is funding a grant that focuses on emerging breast cancer disparities among Asian-American communities.
Every year The Campaign follows a different unifying theme. This year’s theme – ‘Beautifully United to Help End Breast Cancer’ – sees ELC open the next chapter of The Campaign, driving the message that the fight against breast cancer can only be won together.
In this interview, The Estée Lauder Companies Executive Chairman William P. Lauder discusses the key themes of The Campaign, which is the cornerstone of ELC’s social investments. He also discusses ELC’s commitment to continue its purpose-driven action, not just during Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, but all year round.
Because while breast cancer mortalities have reduced -43% over the last 30 years, as the most commonly diagnosed cancer globally we still have a long way to go.
Last year, The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign had its 30-year anniversary. What did that milestone mean to you – especially for a cause that has meant so much for you and your family? And how are you maintaining that momentum one year on?
The Estée Lauder Companies is dedicated to advancing possibilities for people around the world and as a company that lives its shared values, ELC has been at the forefront of supporting the global breast cancer community for more than 30 years. It has been an honour to witness the work of The Breast Cancer Campaign in action and we are inspired to continue driving meaningful impact forward.
At a time when breast cancer wasn’t spoken about openly, my mother, Evelyn Lauder, saw an opportunity to bring awareness to the disease and address stigmas in women’s health. In 1992, she co-created the pink ribbon and founded The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign – inspiring a still-thriving global movement. I know today she would be so proud of the progress we have made.
However, there is still work to be done. The fact remains, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. We are committed to advancing The Campaign’s mission to help create a breast cancer-free world for all and will continue to support lifesaving research, education and medical services until no one loses their life to this disease.
What are the overriding principles behind the 2023 campaign? Tell us about the tagline please and the inspiration behind it.
This year’s Breast Cancer Campaign theme, ‘Beautifully United to Help End Breast Cancer’, illustrates the intersection of beauty and breast cancer as a unique space where our company has been honoured to help facilitate real progress. My mother always said that if we were going to find a cure for breast cancer it would be through the efforts of a group rather than one person, and we are proud to highlight our longstanding unity.
The ELC has funded over US$118 million to support the global breast cancer community. Any highlights from the past year and any particular goals for the next?
Together, The ELC’s Breast Cancer Campaign and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation have funded more than US$118 million for lifesaving global research, education and medical services – with more than US$93 million funding medical research through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
In honour of The Campaign’s 30th anniversary, ELCCF made a US$15 million commitment over five years that will fund a new BCRF research initiative to accelerate The Campaign’s goal of reducing breast cancer disparities and improving outcomes.
As The Campaign enters its next chapter, we will continue to fund critical work around the world that will bring us closer to a cure.
Breast cancer is a disease that disproportionately affects minorities and other vulnerable groups. How does The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign address these disparities?
By approaching breast cancer as a diverse disease, The Campaign will continue to help identify and address the disparities that exist around the globe in areas such as prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, education and support services.
The US$15 million commitment over five years that will fund a new BCRF research initiative is a comprehensive study of the intersection of social determinants of health, comorbidities and the biology of breast cancer in Black women, and has the potential to significantly impact breast cancer disparities globally. It will help advance personalised breast cancer healthcare across prevention, diagnosis and treatment for those at most risk of dying from the disease and has the potential to be groundbreaking for the global breast cancer community.
Furthermore, The Campaign supports more than 60 organisations around the world that facilitate real change aligned to the diverse needs of local communities. Through our dedicated work, partners around the world can continue to help address disparities in breast cancer, advance research, advocate for equitable access to quality care, spread awareness and provide medical services for all.
Funding breast cancer research is one of the most important pillars of The Breast Cancer Campaign. In your view, what have been the biggest discoveries in the last three decades?
Thanks to research, we have more targeted therapies for individual patients’ cancers, resulting in a -43% decline in mortality over the last 30 years. We know more about genetic mutations that increase breast cancer risk, empowering patients to make informed decisions about screening and preventative treatment. We’re also making strides in developing diagnostic tools that better identify which patients need chemotherapy, and which patients don’t. These are just a few examples of major advances that have completely changed the way we approach breast cancer prevention and care.
Early diagnosis is critical to breast cancer survival rates. What is The Campaign doing to promote early diagnosis and self-examinations?
Early detection saves lives. Breast cancer is not a single disease, but many diseases – and they impact everyone differently. This is why The Campaign continues to focus on educating people around the world so they can become advocates for breast health.
This campaign has a particular personal importance to you and the Lauder family, beginning with the dream of your mother Evelyn H. Lauder to create a breast cancer-free world. Can you tell us what this campaign means to you on a personal level?
I am inspired by the progress we have made ever since my mother started The Campaign and this movement around the pink ribbon – it’s what drives us to continue the work today. For over 30 years our passionate employees and partners have come together to advance possibilities for those affected by breast cancer around the world. That is something I am immensely proud of. Together, we will continue powering progress, until we realise my mother’s vision of creating a world without breast cancer.
Looking towards the future – what does the next chapter hold for The Breast Cancer Campaign?
As ELC’s largest corporate social impact programme, The Breast Cancer Campaign is a cornerstone of the company’s social investments in women’s advancement and health. Although significant progress has been made, we must continue this meaningful work.
Through the unwavering commitment of our employees, consumers and partners, we will continue to inspire purpose-driven action year-round, not only in October. Together, we can help drive lasting change against this disease and help create a better and healthier future for all.
This interview will be read by the travel retail community worldwide. Any final overarching messages?
This disease affects all of us, and ELC’s Travel Retail division is dedicated to deepening its commitment to helping end breast cancer. The Travel Retail division will continue supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation with a grant that funds one year of lifesaving scientific research. This year’s grant funded by Travel Retail focuses on exploring emerging disparities in breast cancer among Asian-American communities.
In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, ELC’s Instagram handle (@esteelaudercompanies) will share a global call-to-action where users will be encouraged to post photos and videos, to share how they support the breast cancer community. We invite the travel retail community worldwide to join us as we further The Campaign’s mission to help create a breast cancer-free world for all.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, join us in helping fund lifesaving breast cancer research by sharing a photo or video using the hashtag #TimeToEndBreastCancer. Whether it’s supporting a fundraising event or wearing your pink ribbon, show your support for the breast cancer community, this October and beyond. For every public, in-feed Instagram post featuring #TimeToEndBreastCancer, @esteelaudercompanies will donate $25 to @bcrfcure, up to $75,000. This activation is valid 1-31 October 2023.
