At Noral Jewelers in Palos Heights, pink ribbons are more than decorations this October. For Michelle Horist, they are symbols of survival, grief and community.
Horist, business manager at Noral Jewelers & Mineral Art Gallery, is asking residents and business owners to tie pink ribbons around trees in front of their homes and shops for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She hopes the simple act will create a visible show of solidarity across town.
“It’s a way for someone to share their story or struggle — everyone has a story to tell,” said Horist, who lives in Frankfort. “By putting up a pink ribbon, we are decorating our entire community and supporting one another.”
The idea took root after a co-worker at the jewelry store lost his daughter-in-law to breast cancer. She was in her early 30s, leaving behind a young family. That loss, coupled with Horist’s own circle of friends touched by the disease, pushed her to act.
“I have friends who have gone through this personally, and everyone knows someone who has,” Horist said. “This is all about supporting each other. We want to help out as much as we can.”
Throughout October, Noral Jewelers is offering a 15% discount on any item in the store that is pink. Inside, memory cards are available for people to write tributes to loved ones lost to breast cancer. The cards will be displayed in the shop’s front windows, adding another layer of remembrance.
Horist said she hopes the ribbons and messages turn Palos Heights into a tapestry of pink — not just to raise awareness, but to honor stories of resilience and loss.
“By doing this together, we’re making sure no one feels alone,” she said.
