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Welcome to PinkRibbonInternational

About important things

At PinkRibbon International, this is more than a mission — it’s personal.

Behind every ribbon is a name, a face, a story. A mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend. Someone we’ve loved, someone we’ve lost, someone still fighting. This is why we do what we do — and why we invite you to stand with us.

When illness strikes a loved one, it does not only change their life — it reshapes the lives of everyone around them.”

A personal letter from the Founder,
Walter Scheffrahn

These words are not just a quote — they come directly from Walter Scheffrahn, the man who started PinkRibbon International. In this heartfelt message, Walter shares the story of his sister Désirée, the battles that shaped his vision, and the promise that still guides our mission today.

A Global goal
How it all started

Inspired by a desire to raise breast cancer awareness and fund research, PinkRibbon International was envisioned in 1997.

Walter Scheffrahn formally founded PinkRibbon Inc. in 2008 to support his sister, Désirée, during her battle.  

Today, we’re a global initiative fighting all female gender-related cancers impacting millions.

The journey of PinkRibbon International

Since 1973, each milestone has carried the PinkRibbon forward — from its first steps to a global movement for women’s health, symbolising hope, research, and change.

2025 – Reintroduction

PinkRibbon International unveils a new global structure, with affiliates across continents and a coordinated campaign for transparency and accountability. The Expert Advisory Group is created to guide research funding worldwide.

2024 – A broader mission

The organization expands its focus from breast cancer to all female gender-related cancers. The 85% | 15% pledge is reaffirmed, ensuring most donations directly support research.

2008 – Founding in New York

Walter Scheffrahn formally establishes Pink Ribbon Inc. in New York, pledging transparency and impact. The commitment: 85% of donations go to research, while only 15% cover operations and outreach.

1997 – Going digital

The website pinkribbon.com is launched, creating one of the first global online platforms for cancer awareness. Later, this initiative is taken over by PinkRibbon International.

1992 – The pink ribbon goes global

Estée Lauder Companies and Self magazine distribute 1.5 million pink ribbons at beauty counters across the U.S., making the pink ribbon a worldwide symbol of breast cancer awareness.

1991 – The first peach ribbons

Charlotte Haley hand-makes peach ribbons to highlight underfunded cancer prevention. Her idea inspires Self magazine and Estée Lauder, who adopt the ribbon, changing the color to pink for broader appeal.

1985 – Breast cancer awareness month

The American Cancer Society and AstraZeneca launch the first official Breast Cancer Awareness Month, promoting mammography and early detection, though no ribbon is yet associated.

1979 – Yellow ribbon of solidarity

Penelope Laingen ties yellow ribbons during the Iran Hostage Crisis. The gesture spreads nationwide as a symbol of remembrance and hope — inspiring the use of ribbons for causes.

1973 – A cultural beginning

The song “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” popularizes the ribbon as a symbol of waiting and remembrance, planting the seed for future awareness movements.

Support Help for women

What we stand for

Every diagnosis of female cancer dramatically changes a life, and yet so many of these diseases could be prevented or treated more effectively if research were developed and quality care were accessible.
PinkRibbon directs at least 85% of all donations directly to funding research projects. We are completely transparent about the use of your support, publishing information on all projects that have passed a rigorous review by our Global Expert Advisory Group, ensuring scientific validity and an equitable approach. 

We believe the pink ribbon should symbolize not empty promises, but real results and lives saved. We reject “pinkwashing.”

85%

of all donations go directly to scientific research funding

Become a part of PinkRibbon

Join the movement

This is not just our movement — it’s yours too.

Whether you’re walking this road as a survivor, a loved one, a researcher, or simply as someone who believes in a world where no woman is left behind, we welcome you.     

You belong here

Join us. Donate. Partner. Speak out. Shine.

Together, we can make the invisible visible.

Together, we can turn pink into a promise.

Together, we’re not just raising awareness
— we’re changing lives

With heartfelt thanks,

The PinkRibbon International Team

Meet our board

At the heart of PinkRibbon International are people who care deeply — many with personal ties to the cause.

Walter Scheffrahn MBA MBI LLM

Secretary & Founder

Walter’s career has been defined by his work in international branding and intellectual property, where he has guided and protected some of the world’s most recognizable identities. In 2002, his life took a deeply personal turn when his sister was diagnosed with breast cancer — an event that not only shook his family but also revealed the need for a more transparent, research-driven approach in the nonprofit sector. Out of this experience, Walter founded PinkRibbon International, determined to protect the symbol from misuse and to direct resources toward meaningful change. As founder and Secretary, he continues to safeguard the organization’s mission, ensuring that its values remain uncompromised while guiding its governance and long-term vision.

Dr Xavier Weert

President

Xavier’s professional path has centered on international funding initiatives, particularly those that drive medical innovation and experimental treatments. His perspective shifted when cancer touched the lives of close friends, confronting him with the urgency of advancing research and support. Inspired by their battles, he chose to dedicate his leadership and expertise to the cause of PinkRibbon International. As President, Xavier combines strategic vision with compassion, guiding the organization’s growth and ensuring it reaches people worldwide in their most vulnerable moments.

Ton van der Stap

Treasurer

Ton has built his expertise over many years in financial management, combining both professional achievements and personal projects that demanded precision and responsibility. His connection to PinkRibbon International is deeply rooted in his own life: both his wife and daughter have faced cancer, giving him a profound understanding of the struggles families endure. This experience transformed his financial knowledge into something more than numbers — a way to provide real support for people in need. As Treasurer, Ton ensures that every resource entrusted to the charity is used with care, integrity, and lasting impact, turning his professional skills into a mission of hope.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNSEL

A global team of medical experts and researchers guiding our work with evidence-based insights and a shared commitment to women’s health.

Prof. Karen Flegg

 Breast cancer specialist, Australian National University

Dr. Shrikant Atreya

Palliative care consultant, Tata Medical Centre, Kolkata; chair of the WONCA global group on palliative care and cancer.

Prof. Nick Orr

Cancer geneticist at Queen’s University Belfast whose research explores how inherited genetic variation influences breast cancer risk in both women and men

Prof. David Weller

 James Mackenzie professor of general practice, University of Edinburgh

Dr. Sarah Friend

 Medical oncologist and breast cancer expert, CEO of myFriendMD (USA)

Fionnuala Shannon

Director of Global Operations, PinkRibbon International

Prof. Afeyodion Akhator

Professor of Surgery in the department of Surgery in Delta State University

President & Founder Walter Scheffrahn

Founder and President of PinkRibbon International

Prof. Kienan Savage

Professor of Molecular Oncology and Deputy Director of the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research (PGJCCR)

Donate right now

Your support could be someone’s turning point donate today.

A diagnosis changes everything — but so can your support. Your donation funds free counselling, peer mentorship, educational guides, and life-saving research. Every pound makes a difference.

Global PinkRibbon map

Every dot on the map represents a place where care, support, and action are alive. Click on a country to discover how you can get help, join local programs, or connect with trusted partners in your area.

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Bank transfer details

Help us by donating directly

Bank name: FLAGSTAR BANK, N.A.​

Adress: 1400 Broadway 25th Floor​, New York, NY 10018

Beneficiary ABA Number:  026013576​

Beneficiary Bank Swift BIC Code: SIGNUS 33​

Swift code: MRMDUS33 

Beneficiary Account Number: 1505722597 

Beneficiary Name: PINK RIBBON INC