An empty chair to remind us of what cannot be postponed
An empty chair. A pink ribbon. An unexpected message.
01
Oct
2026
When an absence gets our attention
This simple yet intentional approach was how Indelague marked the beginning of Pink October with its employees on 1 October.
The initiative is part of an internal breast cancer awareness campaign designed to highlight the importance of information, prevention, screening and early detection, without disrupting the working day.
On the morning of 1 October, several empty chairs appeared in different areas of the company, each marked with a pink ribbon and a message:
“Today, this chair was left empty on purpose. Breast cancer can enter the life of any team, family or group of friends. Early detection makes a difference.”
The unexpected nature of the initiative sparked employees’ curiosity and provided a discreet and approachable way to introduce a sensitive subject.
The campaign also extended to the washrooms. On the mirrors, a second message — “Today, take a moment to look after yourself” — encouraged everyone to be aware of their body and not to ignore any changes.
The campaign was deliberately designed around brief moments of communication that require only a few seconds of attention, while aiming to leave a message that lasts well beyond that moment.
30 seconds to think about our health
The available data reinforces the importance of raising awareness. According to the Portuguese League Against Cancer (LPCC), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Figures for 2022 indicate around 9,000 new diagnoses and more than 2,000 deaths in Portugal. Around 1 in every 100 breast cancer cases occurs in men.
Early detection is therefore particularly important. According to the LPCC, when breast cancer is diagnosed and treated at an early stage, the cure rate exceeds 90%.
The Breast Cancer Screening Programme currently covers women aged 45 to 74, with screening repeated every two years. Between 1990 and 2024, more than 6.1 million mammograms were carried out under the programme, and around 36,000 women were referred for hospital diagnosis and treatment.
Informing without alarming and making prevention a message for the whole team
It is precisely the importance of information that inspired Indelague’s initiative.
“We do not want to alarm people or make an already sensitive subject feel even heavier. On the contrary, our intention is to address it in a discreet and positive way, encouraging everyone to seek information, not to underestimate prevention and, perhaps, to share the message with someone close to them.”
— Elsa Gala, Marketing Manager at Indelague
The initiative had an immediate impact on employees precisely because it was unexpected. Rather than relying on conventional communication, the message appeared within everyday spaces, inviting everyone to pause for a few seconds and reflect.
This is not the first initiative developed by Indelague to raise awareness of breast cancer. Throughout October, further internal communication initiatives are planned to continue raising awareness and reinforcing the importance of prevention and early detection.
With more than four decades of experience in the lighting industry, Indelague has built its journey by combining tradition and modernity, technological investment, innovation and quality. The company has a modern lighting laboratory and has received six international design awards, recognising its work in developing distinctive solutions.
But above all, a company is made up of the people who bring it to life every day. For Indelague, caring for its employees and contributing to greater awareness of their health and well-being is also part of its responsibility as an organisation.
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