Rita Ora - S 2015
Instagram/@ritaoraDumping an ice-filled bucket over your head on social media for a worthy cause is so 2014. This year, it’s all about smearing lipstick across your face to raise awareness for the fight against cervical cancer, the cancer most detected in women under the age of 35.
The buzzy viral campaign was launched by U.K.-based Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust on Jan. 25, marking the kickoff of Britain’s Cervical Cancer Prevention Week with a vital message that has since gone global. Participants are invited to smear lipstick over their faces and post a selfie with the hashtag #smearforsmear to remind people of the importance of regular cervical screening with Pap smear tests to help detect and fight cervical cancer.
Since its debut, the movement has racked up more than 2,500 posts (and counting), including the likes of British songstress Rita Ora, who nominated model and pal Jourdan Dunn, among others, as well as model Georgia May Jagger — who’s also making headlines this week as the new face of Mulberry.
Cervical cancer is typically caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) — the most common sexually transmitted disease in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It is also one of the few cancers that can be prevented, making regular Pap smear tests (which check for abnormal cervical cells), even more essential.
Now excuse us while we smudge lipstick all over our faces, and book our next OB-GYN appointments.
For more information, visit http://www.jostrust.org.uk/smearforsmear/.
