The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign Marks 30 Years of Commitment

ELC announces groundbreaking commitment to fuel disparities research

In 1992, Evelyn H. Lauder co-created the Pink Ribbon and launched The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign (the Campaign), inspiring a global movement around its mission to help create a breast cancer–free world for all. One year later, she founded BCRF, a non-profit organization solely dedicated to advancing the world’s most promising research to eradicate breast cancer. Today, The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) is BCRF’s leading corporate partner. The Campaign remains steadfast in driving real progress to help find a cure for this disease.

Propelled by ELC’s support, BCRF is now the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. Through collective efforts of employees, consumers, and partners, the Campaign supports more than 60 organizations worldwide. Together, The Breast Cancer Campaign and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation (ELCCF) have funded more than $108 million for lifesaving global research, education, and medical services—with more than $86 million funding medical research grants through BCRF.

We are also proud to share that ELCCF will donate $15 million to BCRF—the single largest corporate donation in BCRF history—to accelerate innovative research addressing breast cancer disparities. The gift ($3 million per year for five years) will further our shared goal of reducing breast cancer disparities and improving outcomes by addressing complex questions regarding how multiple biological and social factors coalesce to influence breast cancer risk and outcomes for Black women. 

This groundbreaking support comes as The Campaign honors the 30th anniversary of its continued commitment to help end breast cancer for all. Over that time, breast cancer awareness and education in the U.S. and other countries have drastically risen—empowering women to take control of their health. Importantly, U.S. breast cancer mortality has declined by 42 percent over the last 30 years.

But this progress has not been experienced equally across all populations, including right here in the U.S. At every age, Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than any other race or ethnic group, and mortality remains 41 percent higher than in white women. The Campaign and BCRF have been working toward a more equitable future for breast cancer outcomes for years, and ELCCF’s new commitment will undoubtedly accelerate our shared vision.

In recognition of ELC’s positive social impact and unwavering dedication to a world without breast cancer, we’re honored to present The Company with BCRF’s Sandra Taub Humanitarian Award at our Annual Symposium and Awards Luncheon in New York City on October 27.

ELC’s commitment to breast cancer research, spanning three decades, has been transformative. Together, fueling research across the entire spectrum of the disease—from tumor biology, lifestyle and genetics, survivorship, treatment, and metastasis—we have made an indelible mark in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of breast cancer.