THE HOPE-KNOT PROJECT
The Hope-Knot is an icon designed by the Women’s Brain Health Initiative to create awareness and escalate concern over the unchecked growth of dementia and other aging brain diseases in women. A symbol of the importance of memory and a loose visual likeness of the brain, the Hope-Knot reminds us of how connected every aspect of our lives is to our ability for cognitive thought.
So the next time you see someone wearing a Hope-Knot, take a moment to think of the women in your life – your mother, daughter, sister, partner or best friend and remind yourself of how much you depend on their insights, memories, and that twinkle in their eyes. And the next time you see one for sale, remind yourself how much all of that is worth to you. And then when people see you wearing yours, pass the thought on to them.
Support the Initiative. Wear a Hope-Knot.
WILL YOU FORGET? WE HOPE-KNOT.
THE HOPE-KNOT DESIGN
CRITERIA
The Women’s Brain Health Initiative wanted an icon to raise awareness and escalate concern over the unchecked growth of dementia and other aging brain diseases in women.
We hoped the symbol would to be memorable.
Tying a knot in a string around our finger came to mind.
The HOPE-KNOT, a loose visual of the brain, needed to symbolize the importance of memory and remind us of how connected every aspect of our lives is to our ability for cognitive thought.
WILL YOU FORGET? WE HOPE-KNOT.
THE DESIGN
MARK LASH, WOMEN’S BRAIN HEALTH HOPE-KNOT DESIGNER
Combating women’s brain disorders is a cause close to my heart. I have first-hand experience of the devastating impact on family and friends who have been afflicted and affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. These high functioning, independent and loving individuals became a mere shadow of themselves.
My inspiration for the Hope-Knot design came from the complexity and interconnectivity of the brain itself. I wanted to show the deterioration of the brain but I also wanted to keep the strength and beauty of the person intact.
The Hope-Knot is a contemporary interpretation of the human brain. The open space represents how disease destroys a healthy brain while the intertwining aspect of the design represents how messages become scrambled as the disease progresses.
The Hope-Knot can be worn by men and women to remind us all of the women in our lives – our mother, daughter, sister, partner or best friend – and how much we depend on their memories and insights.