Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) began in 1994 as the U.S. fashion industry's response to breast cancer - a widely recognized effort that raises public awareness and funds to support breast cancer research, education, screening and patient care. Inspired by Ralph Lauren in memory of his late friend Nina Hyde, The Washington Post columnist who died of breast cancer, the campaign became an ongoing initiative of the CFDA Foundations - the philanthropic division of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), which represents over 300 of America's leading fashion designers. Since its launch, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer has become the worldwide fashion community's singular and most successful response to breast cancer - an issue of vital importance to its primary consumers: women.