The Estée Lauder Companies 2009 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Kicks Off Its World Pink. World Without Breast Cancer. Wear a Pink Ribbon. Make a Difference.

In 2009, over 70 countries will participate in The Estée Lauder Companies' Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign and unite under one common theme: World Pink. World Without Breast Cancer. Wear a Pink Ribbon. Make a Difference.

Since 1992, when Evelyn H. Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of The Estée Lauder Companies, co-created the Pink Ribbon with SELF magazine as a symbol of breast health and launched The Estée Lauder Companies' Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, a bridge has been built across cultures and languages that has had a lasting impact on the world. Millions have been inspired by Mrs. Lauder's vision of a world without breast cancer and The Estée Lauder Companies has raised millions of dollars for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Pink Ribbon, which has become the unifying symbol of breast health since its creation, sends a strong message of hope. It needs no translation and transcends all languages and boundaries. Around the world, people of every age and race recognize the significance of the ubiquitous Pink Ribbon.

By the end of 2009, The BCA Campaign will have distributed over 100 million Pink Ribbons and millions of informational brochures around the world to send the strong awareness message of the importance of breast health and early detection.

Evelyn Lauder states, "When I launched The Estée Lauder Companies' Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, breast cancer was a disease that was spoken about in whispers. Now, it is not only talked and written about, but survivors, politicians and celebrities have joined us in unison with our mission of creating a world without breast cancer. We are all making a real difference. Women and men need to know that if a breast cancer is found early, it's 98% curable. That is why now, more than ever, we need to make our voices heard around the world."

Elizabeth Hurley, Estée Lauder and BCA Campaign Spokesmodel, is a passionate and unyielding ambassador who travels the world with Evelyn Lauder to illuminate historic landmarks in pink lights and spread the message of the importance of early detection. "There is a lot of misinformation out there about breast cancer. It is so important that people check their breasts regularly. We should tell every woman we know - whether our mother, grandmother, sister, daughter or girlfriend - that it is very important to see their doctors regularly and get mammograms every year if they are over the age of 40. Don't leave it for an extra year," states Elizabeth Hurley.

The 2009 World Pink. World Without Breast Cancer. Wear a Pink Ribbon. Make a Difference. Campaign was created by Marisa Acocella Marchetto, cartoonist and author of the graphic memoir CANCER VIXEN, which tells the story of how she battled and triumphed over breast cancer. Marisa states, "When I found out I had cancer, I became aware of how prevalent breast cancer really is. Awareness is the fist step to reducing the scope of the disease. When early detection is combined with research, lives can be saved and a cure can be achieved."

Fifteen of The Estée Lauder Companies' highly sought-after brands will sell Pink Ribbon Products to raise money for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation to find a cure in our lifetime. These brands include: Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Bumble & bumble., Clinique, Darphin, DKNY, Donna Karan, Estée Lauder, Jo Malone, La Mer, Lab Series Skincare for Men, Ojon®, Origins, Prescriptives, and Sean John Fragrances. These brands, along with several other Estée Lauder Companies' brands, will display counter information, and distribute Pink Ribbons and informational brochures regarding the importance of breast health.

The BCA Campaign's World Pink Ribbon Ambassador (WPRA) initiative continues to expand around the world whereby countries across the globe engage prominent celebrities, politicians or other influential citizens to represent The BCA Campaign in their country. In 2009, over 40 WPRA's will represent The BCA Campaign. These Ambassadors are fierce advocates for the awareness cause and further unite The Estée Lauder Companies' BCA Campaign around the world to save lives.

As always, the Estée Lauder Companies employees continue to actively support BCRF with their annual Sale-a-bration, online Silent Auction, Aramis Bake Sale, Raffles and La Mer sale, as well as walks, golf, soccer and other sports outings.