October Awareness Ribbons & Causes — Walk, Wear, and Care Together
Fall’s here. The leaves are changing, the air’s a little cooler and many nonprofits are getting ready for their big awareness pushes, walks, 5Ks, and events. At Dream Maker Pins, we see October as one of the most powerful months for visibility. Ribbons aren’t just symbols—they’re chances to show up, share stories, support causes, and build stronger communities. Below are some of the major causes in October, their ribbon colors, nonprofits doing great work, plus ideas on how people often come together via walks/5Ks in the fall to raise awareness.
October Causes & Their Ribbon Colors (With Nonprofits Doing Good Work)
| Cause | Ribbon Color | Nonprofits to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Breast Cancer Awareness | Pink |
American Cancer Society — broad support, screening, advocacy Susan G. Komen - research, community programs The DONNA Foundation - hosts the DONNA 5K and helps patients/caregivers. The DONNA Foundation |
| Domestic Violence Awareness | Purple |
National Domestic Violence Hotline - support and resources Safe Horizon - shelter, legal help; many local DV shelters host Purple Thursday events. |
| ADHD Awareness Month | Orange | CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention‑Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder); ADHD coaches & support groups in many regions. |
| Dyslexia Awareness Month | Red | International Dyslexia Association; local literacy programs & school reading specialists. |
| Down Syndrome Awareness Month | Blue & Yellow | National Down Syndrome Society; Global Down Syndrome Foundation. |
| Liver Cancer Awareness | Emerald Green | Karmanos Cancer Institute |
| Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness | Pink & Blue | “Wave of Light” remembrance events on Oct 15. |
| Lung Cancer Awareness | White or Pearl (sometimes) | GO2 for Lung Cancer runs walk/run events; patient & caregiver support. GO2 for Lung Cancer Events |
Fall Walks & 5Ks — Why They’re Huge in October
-
Many of the above causes have large community‑walk or run events in October because the weather is nicer and people are more likely to attend.
-
For example, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer holds many non‑competitive walks across the U.S. in October.
-
GO2 National 5K Walk/Run Series supports lung cancer awareness and has events in the fall. GO2 for Lung Cancer Events
-
There’s the Celebrate Life 5K Run/Walk for organ, tissue, and eye donation awareness and honoring donor families. Mid-America Transplant
These kinds of events do more than raise money. They build visibility, bring people together, let survivors, advocates, families share stories and often drive lasting support.
How Wearing a Ribbon Ripple Effect Works
Even when you don’t run a big event, you can still make October count:
-
Wearing a ribbon pin or wristband in the color for your cause gets questions, starts conversations.
-
Schools, workplaces, clubs often do “wear pink” days or “wear purple” days, or “blue & yellow” for Down Syndrome awareness.
-
Sharing stories (why a person supports a cause, what the nonprofit is doing) on social media or in local groups helps spread awareness.
-
Participating in—or promoting—5Ks/walks helps both funds and visibility. When many people show up wearing the same color, it’s powerful.
Nonprofits & Event Spotlights
Here are a few nonprofits/events in October that are doing standout work and/or hosting walks/runs:
-
The DONNA Foundation - Their DONNA 5K event at TPC Sawgrass supports breast cancer survivors and care. The DONNA Foundation
-
GO2 for Lung Cancer - Hosts 5K walk/runs to raise awareness and bring lung cancer survivors, caregivers, and supporters together. GO2 for Lung Cancer Events
-
Mid‑America Transplant Celebrate Life 5K - Raising awareness about organ, tissue, and eye donation. Honoring donor families. Mid-America Transplant
-
Bolt for Breast Cancer 5K & Fun Run - Local breast cancer awareness run & family‑friendly. BCRFA
FAQ
Q: Why October? What makes it special?
A: October has several overlapping awareness causes - breast cancer, domestic violence, ADHD, infant loss, etc. There’s already public attention. The cooler weather makes outdoor events like walks & 5Ks more comfortable. Plus, many nonprofits plan major awareness pushes during this month, so participation tends to be higher.
Q: Are ribbon colors always the same for a cause?
A: Mostly yes, but sometimes it can vary by region or organization. For big, widely known causes like breast cancer (pink) or domestic violence (purple), the colors are pretty consistent. For others, there might be slight differences or combination ribbon colors (e.g., pink & blue for pregnancy & infant loss).
Q: What makes walks/5Ks effective for awareness?
A: They bring people together in real life (or virtually), create visible presence in communities, allow survivors & supporters to share stories, often attract media coverage, and raise funds. Attendees often wear cause colors, which spreads visibility. Plus, being part of something collective strengthens emotional connection.
Q: How can someone get involved if they can’t attend a walk or run?
A: They can wear the ribbon color, share social posts or resources for the cause, donate to the nonprofit, volunteer, or even host their own small event (like a school “wear pink” day, or a virtual ribbon pledge). Sharing someone’s story or linking to a nonprofit also helps.
October is a month to raise our voices together. Ribbons in pink, purple, orange, blue, emerald green and many more, aren’t just colors. They’re stories, memories, hope. When people walk in 5Ks, show up wearing the cause ribbon, or fundraise even in small ways, they matter. At Dream Maker Pins, we’re all about helping those stories be seen and shared. If you ever want to pick a ribbon color, create a ribbon pin or wristband, or need ideas for your group or school event—don’t worry, you’re not alone. We’re here to help make October count, together.