Who doesn't know the name Ralph Lauren? Maybe you only recognize the Polo pony logo.

He's currently getting lots of press as he is observing his 40th year in the fashion industry. He's on the October cover of Town & Country and also on Men's Vogue.

He has a feature story in the Style Magazine fall fashion section of the New York Times.

Actress Debra Messing, considered best-dressed in a white strapless gown trimmed with black at the recent Emmy awards, proudly announced "It's Ralph Lauren" when asked who she was wearing -- not that he needs the publicity.

We know he designs beautiful clothes. We know he lives a fabulous life of luxury. His ads are legend. His book "Ralph Lauren" costs $135.

He's a pricey guy, true.

You might say it's the month of Lauren awareness. It's also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the two are related.

Lauren climbed on board early to help with cancer research, which is why I respect him, even if I can't afford him.

He donated $100,000 to begin the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research at Georgetown University in 1989.

The designer was inspired to become involved when Miss Hyde, then fashion editor for The Washington Post, was diagnosed with breast cancer. They were friends.

He had his own health concern. He had just been diagnosed with a brain tumor and eventually had successful surgery.

We talked many times over the years. Mr. Lauren once told me, "You meet certain people. She was one. The way she was, the way she wrote, her manner. When she died and I knew how hard she fought, I wanted to do something."

I, too, considered Ms. Hyde a friend as we often rubbed shoulders at shows in New York City. She was with the Daily News when we met.

Off and on for five years after the first diagnosis, she did her job and kept covering shows even as she lost her beautiful dark wavy hair and had to wear a wig and use a cane.

She died in 1990. Mr. Lauren gave the eulogy at her funeral.

Little did I know that 10 years later I would be diagnosed with breast cancer or that I would also benefit from much of the research in her memory and the generosity of the designer.

I'm now in my sixth year of negative mammograms since my diagnosis.

This month I end my medication. It's a scary feeling, as you feel you are wandering in unknown territory with no protection after years of daily doses of a pill meant to fight recurrence. Now what?

I've benefitted from research. When I began my medication in 2001, Tamoxifen was the best known medicine to fight recurrence.

Now other medications and treatments have been introduced. I have been on what is called an inhibitor, Femara, the last two years, declared more successful for post-menopausal women.

Mr. Lauren has continued his support to breast cancer research over the years. In 2000 his company donated $5 million to establish a cancer prevention and treatment center at the North General Hospital in Harlem, collaborating with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Pittsburghers saw his personal style when he came for a benefit black tie showing of his collection many years ago at The Carnegie.

The audience was dressed to the nines and somewhat insulted when the designer took his bow wearing jeans, a turtleneck, cowboy boots and a tweed jacket.

He still dresses that way. He never wavered from his dream, and he certainly hasn't wavered from his promise to follow through with his support for cancer research.

We are both Libras. Lauren's birthday was yesterday. Mine is tomorrow.

We are also both survivors.

Oh, I'm older and not half as rich, in case you were wondering.