Under the banner of the color pink, Polo Ralph Lauren is dyeing its iconic pony to support-for more than two decades-the fight against cancer. The Pink Pony initiative is the philanthropic program dedicated to the cure and prevention of this disease, supports programs for research, screening, early detection, treatment and patient support.
This year’s campaign builds on the company’s ongoing commitment to raising awareness and funds for the cause, with donations raised from annual Pink Pony product initiatives benefiting the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation’s Pink Pony Fund and an international network of nonprofit cancer organizations.
In support of ongoing Pink Pony initiatives, the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation recently announced a commitment of $25 million in new grants to expand or establish five cancer centers under the Ralph Lauren name, including the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington, D.C., and the existing Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Ralph Lauren Center. The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation is working with Conquer Cancer, ASCO’s foundation, to identify the three additional grant recipients, each of whom must have a National Cancer Institute designation.
In support of this year’s campaign, the company will donate 100 percent of the purchase price of the new Pink Pony Oxford Shirt and Pink Pony Fleece Hoodie and 25 percent of the purchase price of the new Pink Pony Cashmere Hoodie, as well as some classic Polo shirts in pink coloring, to the Pink Pony Fund or a network of international cancer associations.
In Italy, the proceeds will go to the AIRC Foundation for Cancer Research, a non-profit organization that is the first private funding hub for independent cancer research in Italy, with a mission to understand, prevent and cure cancer through scientific research and prevention awareness. With AIRC’s support, more than 5,000 researchers at more than 100 institutions are working to make cancer increasingly curable and to improve patients’ quality of life. And throughout October if you are in Ralph Lauren and Ralph’s Coffee restaurants remember to order the Pink Pony Cocktail and Beet Latte – proceeds will go to support the Pink Pony Fund or a local cancer organization.