Awareness Accessories – Let Your Voice Be Heard 24/7

Ovarian Cancer Awareness

During the month of September, College Lifestyles™ offered readers opportunities to increase ovarian cancer awareness in our articles “Silencing the Silent Killer” and “‘Teal’tally in Style – College Lifestyles’ Guide to Rocking the Color Teal This Fall.”  It is my hope that although awareness month is over, your knowledge of ovarian cancer only increases from here.  You may ask, what are good ways to spread awareness?  Take a look at the four awareness pieces I chose.  By wearing one (or two, or three, or all four!) of these accessories, you’ll be guaranteed to show off your support to all those you encounter daily.

Awareness Bracelets

Made popular in 2004 by the “LiveStrong” awareness bracelets that served as a fundraiser for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, you can find an awareness bracelet for almost anything under the sun.  In fact, today you can custom create your own silicone bracelets.  Show off your “teal pride” by wearing one that supports ovarian cancer awareness.

Awareness Ribbons

Awareness ribbons have become quite popular across my university’s campus, as I’m sure is the case with many college campuses.  Pink is among the most commonly spotted, in support of breast cancer, but teal ribbons have begun to make their debut on purses and book bags that I pass daily.  In hopes of raising awareness, my sorority sets up an information table once a month on our campus where we pass out free awareness ribbons, symptom cards, and teal ribbon temporary tattoos.  I love when people ask me what my ribbon stands for; it opens the door for me to share about the philanthropy I am so passionate about.

Silly Bands

Ovarian cancer awareness has become a part of the latest craze.  Silly bands are creative, discreet, and worn by people of all ages.  Trading silly bands has also become a popular new fad.  Trading an awareness ribbon band provides wonderful opportunity to share the facts of the “silent killer”.  These can be purchased directly from the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance’s website.

Teal Nail Polish

Typically we choose red, pink, or a neutral tone of polish to cover our nails, but try going out-of-the-box with a shade of teal.  While this is not appropriate for a business environment, try wearing this sassy color on the weekends.  Better yet, paint your toes teal.  They will be hidden during the work day, but visible when you are relaxing or enjoying a night of socializing.  An organization has been created just for spreading awareness through painting your nails.  Teal Toes® states that their mission is to raise awareness of ovarian cancer “by painting your toenails teal, the ovarian cancer color.  By getting your friends to paint their toenails teal too, and then by talking with people when they ask about it, to make sure they know the signs of this whispering killer.”

Abby Bryant is an intern with College Lifestyles™.  She is a senior marketing major at Georgia College & State University® and is the president of her sorority, Sigma Alpha Omega®.  She likes to add awareness accessories into her everyday wardrobe in hopes of spreading ovarian cancer awareness to all those she encounters.