Why Are People Putting Pink Porch Lights Outside Their Homes?

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While typical Halloween decor is usually in the orange, purple, and black color groups, you may see a pink porch light at your neighbor's front door this fall. Why, you ask? As with everything pink during October, you're likely to guess it's linked to breast cancer awareness – and you'd be right!

Many people proudly display pink lighting schemes on their front porches to promote breast cancer research, funding, education, and prevention, as well as to honor breast cancer fighters, victims, and survivors. Though pink bulbs are more prevalent in October due to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a pink porch light may be visible any time of the year to show solidarity or as a signal of a personal healing journey.

So why pink? The color's association with breast cancer awareness began gaining traction in 1990, when the Komen National Race for the Cure launched the breast cancer survivor program, handing out buttons to honor survivors at the event, followed quickly by visors in the organization's signature pink hue. Around this time, wearing ribbons of various colors to show support and raise awareness for a cause became popularized (yellow for the Persian Gulf War, red for HIV/AIDS). SELF magazine jumped on the ribbon bandwagon to help bolster its second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month issue in 1992. Taking inspiration from grassroots activist Charlotte Haley's peach ribbons (which were largely considered the first breast cancer awareness ribbon), the magazine teamed up with makeup giant Estée Lauder to distribute pink awareness ribbons at all of Estée Lauder's New York City stores to create a powerful platform for spreading the message. It worked like a charm. Seemingly overnight, the pink ribbon became the ubiquitous symbol of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, positioning pink as the unmistakable signature color of the movement. So just as the pink ribbon symbolizes and supports the fight against breast cancer, a pink porch light has been adopted to do the same.

To participate in this powerful message of prevention, funding research, and support for everyone impacted by breast cancer, simply purchase a pink light bulb (like this on Amazon) or a color-adjustable smart bulb and swap it for your usual porch light bulb(s). Alternatively, during October, some towns and organizations distribute free pink bulbs to encourage their communities to spread the word and get a breast cancer screening, so it's worth investigating further opportunities to get involved on a local level.

If you have a light fixture with an integrated light bulb that can't be easily swapped, consider switching out the fixture's shade or globe for a pink one. When that's not possible, you may be able to craft your own shade cover from a sheer fabric or gauzy material to tint the light. Just make sure to use an LED bulb, which doesn't heat up like a more traditional bulb. If all else fails, consider adding pink-hued solar lanterns, twinkle lights, garden lights, or even color-adjustable holiday lights to add to your porch or entire outdoor lighting scheme in support.

But the most important part of participation is spreading the message of what the pink light bulb stands for. When your friend or neighbor asks why your porch bulb is pink, share your support, personal story, or encouragement about proactive, preventative screening measures with your community to further the progress in the fight against breast cancer. For more information and education, please visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation or Susan G. Komen.