By this point, most people are familiar with the symbol of the pink ribbon and what it represents. But not many people are acquainted with the yellow ribbon – and its significance in the month of July.

The yellow ribbon brings awareness to sarcoma, which is a rare cancer that affects about 1% of the Australian population. July is sarcoma awareness month – a time where you might see the yellow ribbon popping up in an effort to bring awareness of sarcoma to the average person.

Unfortunately, most people have never heard of this devastating cancer that can arise in fat, muscle, cartilage and bone. Most people don’t know that sarcomas affect a younger population than most cancers. Most also don’t realise that treatment can be very invasive - drastic measures, such as the amputation of limbs, are sometimes seen as the only solution.

Most people certainly don’t know that there are 70 different types of sarcoma, but due to lack of funding and research, all the types are treated in the same way – despite the types being very different and likely requiring different treatment.

According to the Australasian Sarcoma Study Group, research has found a “highly, statistically significant correlation between conducting research and survival” – meaning that an increase in clinical research of sarcoma leads to increased survival for sarcoma patients.

That’s why the yellow ribbon and the month of July are so important. Every bit of awareness and fundraising contributes directly to the research of sarcoma, and the potential of finding treatments for each type of sarcoma.

We highly encourage any fundraising efforts to donate to the Australasian Sarcoma Study Group, one of the only organisations currently working to help reduce the impact of sarcoma in the community. 100% of donations to the group go directly to sarcoma research.

You can support the ASSG through cheque or direct deposit – details are on their website here: http://www.australiansarcomagroup.org/support-sarcoma-research.html