«Everyone who participates in our events is showing solidarity with people affected by breast cancer»
For almost 20 years, Pink Ribbon Switzerland has been bringing people together to raise the profile of breast cancer and demonstrate solidarity. Managing Director Nicole Zindel explains how events like the Pink Ribbon Charity Walk and the Pink Ribbon Music Show help to allay fears, promote prevention and empower breast cancer patients – and why community is often a greater healer than any treatment alone.
Pink Ribbon Switzerland was founded in 2007. A lot has happened since then – both on a societal level and with regard to research. How have perceptions of breast cancer and prevention changed in Switzerland?
Breast cancer used to be something that people rarely talked about. Today, people take the time to examine themselves, ask questions and take proactive precautionary measures. The taboo around the subject has largely disappeared. We are seeing much greater awareness across all age groups, and that is a huge success.
At the same time, the number of cases continues to rise. One in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in their life. The good news is that mortality rates are falling, because tumours can be detected earlier and treated more effectively. Modern medicine is allowing us to use gentler, individually tailored treatments that focus on quality of life.
The visibility of your work seems to be an important factor. What role do events and campaigns play in this?
Our events serve as an emotional anchor. The Pink Ribbon Charity Walk at the Letzigrund sees several thousand people walk or run together for a common cause. This sense of solidarity is hard to put into words. Many breast cancer patients describe the event as one of the most powerful days of the year.
Through such experiences, we want to alleviate their fears about breast examination. Prevention should be something you do as a matter of course, not something alarming or moralising. The positive atmosphere also enables us to reach people who might not otherwise come into contact with the topic of breast cancer.
Aside from raising awareness, what other tasks does Pink Ribbon Switzerland perform?
We support people affected by breast cancer in various ways. We work with clinics and specialists to promote information-sharing and strengthen patients’ health literacy. The donations we receive also support projects that promote research and advisory services.
However, we see our most important task as giving strength and hope to breast cancer patients and their families. That is also precisely why we have created the Pink Ribbon Music Show, a new event that is very close to all our hearts. There will be seven performances in January and February 2026, under the tagline “Zäme simer stercher” (Together we’re stronger). Featuring new Swiss songs, the show will see fantastic artists tell a moving, encouraging and inspirational story.
«We share common values: prevention, health promotion and respect for patients. In addition to financial support, we really value SWICA’s expertise in the area of prevention.»
Nicole Zindel, Managing Director of Pink Ribbon Switzerland
As awareness increases, so too do expectations. What challenges are you currently facing?
We are hugely fortunate that Pink Ribbon Switzerland is now well-known, and many companies approach us with sponsorship requests. This shows that our message is getting through and that the movement has a strong resonance. Nevertheless, funding our wide array of projects remains a constant challenge, especially in times of economic uncertainty.
This makes us all the more grateful for our many long-term partners, who support us with incredible passion and commitment. Thanks to them, we are able to bring our projects to life and keep taking the Pink Ribbon movement forward.
People are often surprised by the creativity and size of Pink Ribbon Switzerland events. What motivates you to keep operating at this scale every year?
We are motivated by the tangible impact our events have on people. When attendees tell us that they arranged a screening appointment after the event, we know that all our efforts have been worthwhile. We may even be able to save a life as a result – because a tumour that is detected early is often highly treatable. There are moving personal stories behind many of our encounters. They touch and inspire us and give us the energy to keep constantly developing new things and stay the course.
The Pink Ribbon is an international movement. What are your relationships with the organisations in other countries?
There is no central body controlling everything. Each Pink Ribbon initiative in Europe operates independently. This gives us the freedom to tailor our events and campaigns specifically to Switzerland. At the same time, we keep a close eye on what is happening internationally. We only adopt ideas that are aligned with our approach and in keeping with the subject matter. Credibility is a key asset for us.
Pink Ribbon Music Show: Get your tickets now
In January 2026, a very special music show under the tagline “Zäme simer stercher” (Together we’re stronger) will take place in the ballroom of the Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich. It is a unique event with a powerful message.
More details about the programme, along with show dates and ticket information, can be found on the Pink Ribbon website.
The partnership with SWICA has been in place for a number of years. What makes this cooperation special?
We share common values: prevention, health promotion and respect for patients. In addition to financial support, we really value SWICA’s expertise in the area of prevention. The team also gets actively involved in our events, which brings a lot of positive energy to the community. Partnerships like these are crucial if we are to have a lasting impact.
Many people do not suffer from breast cancer personally. Why is it still worth being involved?
Because breast cancer really does affect us all. Almost everyone knows a family member or friend who has had a breast cancer diagnosis. Anyone who gets involved is showing solidarity with breast cancer patients and supporting efforts to detect the disease at an early stage. They are also able to experience the incredibly motivating atmosphere at our events. People return home filled with positivity.
What are your aspirations for the future of Pink Ribbon Switzerland and breast cancer prevention in general?
That screening becomes a matter of course for all women, and that people continue to overcome their inhibitions. Early detection can save lives. We also hope to see further advances in research and treatment, enabling even more people to survive the disease. As an organisation, we want to remain a trusted partner for breast cancer patients and their families.
And in particular, we hope that through our upcoming Pink Ribbon Music Show we can be a source of strength and confidence to large numbers of people – whether they are suffering from breast cancer themselves, supporting someone else or simply going through a challenging time. Our greatest wish is for everyone to leave the show feeling stronger – and for this feeling to endure.
Breast cancer: early detection can save lives
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, so early detection plays a crucial role. SWICA is committed to this goal alongside its long-standing partner Pink Ribbon.
Find out the facts about prevention, how to examine yourself correctly, and why regular gynaecological screening and mammograms are important on our website.
