Colors of neuroblastoma awareness

When putting this blog together, I did an online search for the all-too-popular awareness ribbons that have become part of our collective consciousness over the years. You know the ones. Those representing different social concerns and health issues — horrible diseases inflicting our friends, neighbors, and loved ones.

Before doing my own search, my sister Amelia had sent a graphic of a purple and gold ribbon to me, which I put on the front page of this site. It represents neuroblastoma — an awful cancer that is found mostly in infants and children. I really like the design, if only it didn’t represent such a horrible killer. The purple ribbon is outlined in gold with a smiling, cartoon-style sun shining in the middle and three gold-colored, silhouette drawings of kids holding hands near the ribbon’s edge. 

Upon doing my own search, it seems the majority of sources indicate gold is the generally-accepted color to bring awareness to neuroblastoma. I did, however, see a few splashes of purple here and there on ribbons, bracelets, and other items serving to inform the public of this particular type of cancer. When I get stuck on something, I can’t stop inquiring until I find the answer I need.

While seeking to find the definitive “official” color(s), I happened upon a blog whose writer — a neuroblastoma survivor herself — explained the significance of the colors, in her view. It’s an explanation that makes perfect sense to me. She also laments about there not being enough attention paid to childhood cancers when compared to a certain other highly-visible cancer, whose chosen color can’t be ignored.

This advocate for childhood cancer awareness states that the colors for neuroblastoma are purple and gold. She explains gold is for the cancer itself, because “children are more precious than gold,” and purple represents the innocent souls who’ve been taken by that ugly monster.

I’m satisfied with this answer.