In 1979 during the height of the Iran Hostage Crisis, a wife waiting for her husband to return was inspired by a song to 'tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree'. The yellow ribbon soon became a symbol of loyalty for the 52 American hostages held in Iran, and when they returned after 444 days of captivity , the song was played and millions of ribbons displayed throughout the country.

 [bad word] #39; home, I've done my time
Now I've got to know what is and isn't mine
If you received my letter telling you I'd soon be free
Then you'll know just what to do
If you still want me
If you still want me

Whoa, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree
It's been three long years
Do ya still want me?
If I don't see a ribbon round the old oak tree
I'll stay on the bus
Forget about us
Put the blame on me
If I don't see a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree

Bus driver, please look for me
'cause I couldn't bear to see what I might see
I'm really still in prison
And my love, she holds the key
simple yellow ribbon's what I need to set me free
I wrote and told her please

Now the whole damned bus is cheerin'
And I can't believe I see
hundred yellow ribbons round the old oak tree"

Later the yellow ribbons came to symbolize waiting for the first Gulf War soldiers to return. Not soon after that AIDS activists adopted a RED ribbon to support AIDS victims. The first cancer ribbon was peach colored for breast cancer and was done by a single activist, but soon the senior president of Estée Lauder , Evelyn Lauder, a breast cancer survivor wanted to do a ribbon for her product. She chose a pink ribbon when she could not reach an aggreement with the first activist. 

That was the beginning of the ribbons . . and what gave a boost to corporate philanthropy.

There are a ton of colors and [bad word] ribbons for many types of diseases and cancers.