Orange ribbon

Orange ribbons are used during August to raise awareness and support for Autoinflammatory Awareness month. The orange matches the logo of the Autoinflammatory Alliance which represents an inflammasome, the fevers/pain of the disorders, and the passion of the informed patient/supporter.[1]

It was recently used worldwide to promote awareness of self-harm on March 1, 2012. March 1 is designated as Self-injury Awareness Day (SIAD) around the world.[2] On this day, some people choose to be more open about their own self-harm, and awareness organisations make special efforts to raise awareness about self-harm. Some people wear an orange awareness ribbon or wristband to encourage awareness of self-harm.[3]

In Australia, orange ribbons are worn annually on March 21 to support Harmony Day and the message of a harmonious multicultural society. First organized in 1996, by the next year the 'Orange Ribbon' was embraced by thousands of people across Australia and was worn by members of the all sides of politics at the 1997 Australia Day celebrations in capital cities Australia-wide.[4]

In Canada, orange ribbons are worn as an awareness ribbon symbolizes Addiction Recovery. The campaign was launched on October 1, 2004 by the non-profit group R.A.F.T. for their first “Walk for Recovery”. It has since been adopted by a number of other support groups who battle addictions.[5]

In the province of New Brunswick in Canada, orange ribbons are worn in response to the New Brunswick government's plan to sell many of the assets of New Brunswick Power (NB Power) to Hydro-Québec. The ribbons serve many purposes including making the public aware of the proposed sale, and making the government aware of the public opposition to the deal.[6]

In Israel, orange ribbons indicate opposition to the Israel "disengagement" plan of 2004 (blue ribbons indicate support). The color was adopted by disengagement opponents on advice from Adir Zik. Although the disengagement was executed in 2005, supporters continue to use the color as a symbol of general opposition to further withdrawals. Often written on the post-Disengagement ribbons is the phrase "לא נשכח ולא נסלח" ("we will not forget and we will not forgive").

In Japan, the orange ribbon is promoted as a symbol of Child Abuse Prevention. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has designated November as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Official Website of Orange Ribbon: http://www.orangeribbon.jp

In Nigeria the Orange Ribbon Initiative[7] is an advocacy program designed to support children with developmental disabilities, most especially the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It seeks to ensure that these children are not stigmatized and that they receive the required support from parents, teachers, friends, government and the society. Other means of promoting this course include the use of custom wristbands and lapel pins.

In Singapore, the orange ribbon is promoted as a symbol of racial and religious harmony. It is also used to show support for the independent music scene.

In the 1920s, an orange ribbon was used for the national association of overallklubbar, clubs promoting a radical change in fashion meaning everyone should wear jumpsuits.[8]

In Sweden, the orange ribbon was the common symbol for a change of government in the national election in September 2006. The orange ribbon is an initiative from the Young Conservatives, the Young Liberals, the Young Christian-Democrats and the Young Center.

It is a symbol of the Ukrainian Orange Revolution of 2004. The orange color denotes the color of the opposition party of Viktor Yushchenko. (Ribbons are common symbols of non-violent protest.)

The orange ribbon is worn as a symbol representing Harmony Day, coinciding with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The ribbon shows awareness of Racial Tolerance, or Cultural Diversity. it is also the color for multiple Sclerosis awareness.

In the United States, the orange ribbon has become a support color for the following:

• Kidney cancer[9]
• Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD)
• Hunger and malnutrition awareness[10]
• Multiple Sclerosis and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (formerly known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) awareness, as well as Cancer/Lupus/Leukemia Awareness[11]
• Gun violence protests[12]
• At-risk animal awareness. The orange ribbon has been officially registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as the Animal Guardian Ribbon. It was created in 2003 by Rational Animal, a nonprofit media animal advocacy group in conjunction with the Mayor's Alliance for New York City's Animals. At-risk animals are defined as those "non-human animals who suffer from neglect or abuse or whose very lives and well-being are in jeopardy."[13]
• The ACLU Close Guantánamo Campaign.[14] In the San Francisco Bay Area activist group Act Against Torture uses it as part of their campaign to close Guantanamo Bay and other U.S. detention facilities, in reference to the orange jumpsuits which detainees are made to wear.
• Work zone safety awareness. A reflective orange ribbon is used by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation to promote awareness and to honor roadway construction workers who have died at work.[15]
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder