What Does A Pink Pumpkin Mean On Someone's Porch?

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No autumnal decor is complete without an array of pumpkins on the front porch. While a sea of orange is common, these days there are a wide range of cultivated pumpkin colors, including white, green, and pale blue. But perhaps you've stumbled upon a house decorated with pink pumpkins and wondered what that might mean. Just as pumpkins painted teal for Halloween announce a house offering safe treats to kids with food allergies and purple pumpkins on porches show support for epilepsy awareness, those pink pumpkins symbolize breast cancer awareness. These shades aren't accidental or a way to accentuate seasonal decor — they're meaningful.

Similar to a pink lapel ribbon, a pink pumpkin represents solidarity with those who have battled or are currently battling the difficult disease. The color selection is meant to encourage support and show others that they're not alone in their journey. Since Breast Cancer Awareness Month shares October with Halloween, it's only fitting to give your seasonal squash a blush or magenta makeover, easily done with acrylic paint and a mop brush or a can of spray paint. You can also track down the notable pink-hued Porcelain Doll hybrid pumpkin FI — which was quickly associated with the cause following the special pumpkin's development — or order seeds to grow your own fall harvest.

This colorful gourd started appearing alongside more traditional Halloween decor ideas over 20 years ago when a New York-based nonprofit, The Pink Pumpkin Project, launched as a way to honor Laurie Anzivine Ogle — the foundation's sister-in-law — starting with one pumpkin. The volunteer-based, donor-funded organization provides supplies, financial assistance, and support to those affected by the disease in Olean, New York — along with Rochester, New York and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Its mission statement notes the PPP is  "giving hope to fighters, one pumpkin at a time." A local nursery provides the group with its supplies and volunteers paint and decorate the pumpkins that are then sold to help fund the nonprofit's efforts. Since its launch, other groups have joined the annual Halloween celebration.

Far afield from New York, the Kansas-based Pink Pumpkin Project is a community-wide initiative with help from the HaysMed Foundation, Kansas State University College of Agriculture, and various sponsors to raise awareness for breast cancer screening and support loved ones who have been affected. These organizations joined forces to dedicate an acre of land to cultivating pink pumpkins, which are sold to generate funds for HaysMed Breast Care Center in Hays, Kansas. Meanwhile the Pinkn' Patch operates similar initiatives for families in Western Michigan. And Palymira, Maine farmer Pat White received attention this year for his crop of Porcelain Doll pumpkins. He's been growing them for the past eight years, raising money for Champion the Cure in Maine, and partnering with a local business that provides matching funds. But you don't have to be a part of any group to join this beneficial, festive decor trend. You can even find artificial pink pumpkins in stores or online, like the seven-piece Winlyn foam pumpkins in a variety of sizes.