Pink: Not just for Pepto Bismol anymore

GramE

In case anyone wants a pink TV or accessories:

http://images.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=pink+tv&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=mdfJSrz 

cherneski

Awareness is crap!  A cure is what is needed!  AMEN!  I keep saying the same thing to people and they just dont get it (all but you Ladies), I was aware, I was being watched, I was "watched" right into stage llla! 

Insurance companies fight to not fund early detection.  If I was brought back in 3 months rather than 6, I am sure it would have been different. 

Ok I will stop ranting again.

Hugs Deb

kdeit

Deb,

That's the reason I'm so active in raising funds for The American Cancer Society - they fund research and provide support for patients and families.  Click this link to read about the research ACS has funded - I believe that 46 of them won the Nobel prize, AFTER being funded.

http://www.cancer.org/downloads/res/Timeline_of_Accomplishments.pdf

Hugs,

Karen

KAK

Here's an interesting post on a sistah's blog about this.  The comment from "Kathi" is mine.

Pink Treadmills??

otter

How did I not know about this site until today?:  "Charity Navigator"

http://www.charitynavigator.org/

They do financial assessments of charities and then rate them according to their efficiency and performance.  The link I've given is for the home page of the site.  [I thought I had posted a link to a page focusing on charities that promote breast cancer prevention and cure, but the link had changed and no longer pointed to that page.]  The site contains assessments of all the big players, most of whom will be familiar (including Komen, BCRF, and even BCO).  If you look at the individual pages, the data are really interesting.  For example, the individual page for each charity gives the salary for its executive officers.  Just type the name of the charity into the search line.

otter 

[Added in edit:  I've changed some of the lines in my post because the link I had given originally was no longer pointing to the page I wanted to highlight.] 

Hood1980

Thanks Otter!  I really need to go read that one right now so I can have my facts ready for the next one that asks me to participate in or donate to some breast cancer related function!

KAK

Thought I'd post a little pink path I took tonight.  This is a good one.

Went to the grocery store and did some guerrilla photography.  Here's one of the more silly items, I thought.  Paper towels??

However, it does say that Kleenex will donate this year at least $125,000 to $200,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  So, using Otter's nifty link, I discovered that the BCRF is highly rated, compared to like foundations.   BCRF analysis.

So, then I visited their website and found this profile of a researcher whose name I recognized from some articles I've looked up recently in my quest to understand my own Cancer Related Fatigue.  Dr. Ganz is one of the research doctors who has received funding from BCRF.  Dr. Ganz Profile

Last, but not least, this is one of the articles I found recently when I was desperately trying to understand my own fatigue after not getting any help from my cancer docs.  And guess who one of the researchers was?  Dr. Ganz.

Biomarkers for Persistent Fatigue in Breast CancerSurvivors

This all did make me feel better.   I would feel a lot better if our oncs would read up on CRF, too, so they would stop giving so many of us the brush-off.  

kdeit

I just read this about the NFL wearing pink.  So, let's hope that there enough fans willing to pay big $$ for the items that the players wear.  All proceeds are going to The American Cancer Society: 

Throughout October, NFL games will feature players, coaches and
referees wearing pink game apparel to raise awareness about the importance of breast cancer screenings. All apparel worn at games by players and coaches and special
K-balls and pink coins... will auctioned off at NFL Auction, with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society. Go to NFL.com/Pink to bid on these items. http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d812e36ef&template=with-video&confirm=true

Hugs,

Karen

Jane_M

I don't mean to sound pessimistic or belittle the Stage 0-IIs, but is anybody else offended when the media says "Early detection saves lives?"  Does that mean because my cancer wasn't detected early, and I'm Stage III, I'm destined to die?  Does that imply to early stagers that they have nothing to worry about? 

AnneW

For crying out loud. My freaking mushrooms were in a pink container today at Safeway. "Supporting cancer research." Why not support it quietly YEAR ROUND and quit the marketing ploy?? That's all pink is now--a way to make money.

Anne

otter

Yesterday's on-line edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution had an interesting article about BC awareness month and all the pink stuff:  "Going Pink Is Big Business."

http://www.ajc.com/business/going-pink-is-big-159498.html

"October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but it has also become a financial bonanza for American businesses.

" 'It brings a lot of shoppers into the stores,' said Michele New, a spokeswoman and special events manager for Saks Fifth Avenue at Phipps. The Atlanta store, in conjunction with all Saks stores nationwide, is selling designer T-shirts, hosting luncheons and panel discussions and donating 2 percent of all of its sales between Oct. 15-18.

"Saks has been involved in the breast cancer awareness campaign since 1999. Since then, Saks says it has donated more than $32 million to women's cancer research and treatment organizations.

"When asked how much the cancer campaigns have enriched Saks' bottom line over the years, New said, 'It's been very successful for us,' but declined to go into detail....

"...a recent University of Michigan study looking at the effects of 'cause marketing' -- when a company agrees to give a portion of the proceeds from the sale of a product to a charity or cause -- found that it can boost sales and also raise prices of not only the cause-related product but other products the company sells.

" 'For public policy officials and consumers who may believe that cause-marketing firms are more caring firms and are genuinely interested in helping others, it may be insightful to understand that cause marketing also allows firms to increase their prices and profits,' noted the study authors, retail marketing professor Aradhna Krishna and Uday Raj, an associate professor of finance.

" 'Companies are riding on the coattails of the most popular cause marketing issues, especially around the month of October. We're seeing a deluge of companies using the pink ribbon to increase their profits,' said Kasha Ho, program manager of Breast Cancer Action. The San Francisco-based advocacy group launched 'Think Before You Pink' to help the public better understand the marketing.

"Ho cited examples of companies that rake in money from the cause long after they've exceeded their earmarked donations...."

There is much more in the article, including some favorable comments and examples of companies that supposedly "do it right."

otter 

GramE

I posted 8 stickers in Walmart today at pink BC displays of products.   " Breast Cancer is a DISEASE, not a marketing ploy.  Think before you pink.  CURE it NOW."

Maybe I am noticing more this year, but cereal, candy, juice, paper towels -- almost every aisle had at least one product claiming contributions. I was getting to overload very quickly.   

I have chosen to do the local Walk to FIGHT Breast Cancer. They provide free mammo and tests to those who otherwise could not afford them.    I am a fighter, a cancer warrior.   

leaf

Go, Nancy, Go!

kdeit

The Orlando, FL ACS office has gone Pink in order to help publicize Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.  I hope that it encourages people to join the October 31st walk and to donate funds to continue their life-saving research.

Since I broke my ankle 3 weeks ago, I can't walk, but I'll be there, cheering my team on.

Hugs,

Karen 

sueper13

I am officially sick of October.  I am also officially sick of my "new" normal.  I want the old normal back. 

rock

WHY DIDN'T I CHECK THIS THREAD EARLIER?

You guys are just the antidote I needed to the pink crap. And trust me, South Africa is a pale pink compared to the US.  YES to everything you said.  (Otter, can I steal some more of your posts, please? The football, the article, the charity navigator?  Can I BE you? Please?)

Amen, btw, to the "early detection" crap.  Yes, that's all well and good but it also smacks of blame. No acknowledgement of waiting lists, of mis-read mamms, of the reality that sometimes life intervenes/life is complicated and for perfectly good reasons we don't follow up or we miss a screening....

Yes, yes, yes to (almost) everything posted here.    Sick of cancer being trivialized.  More specifically, sick of WOMEN being trivialized.

Nancy, your stickers are genius.

allalone

dlb823 wrote:  The day I had my first biopsy at a local hospital, they sent me off with a fancy little pink shopping bag full of literature about bc. I was incredulous at their insensitivity. It was like they were saying, "This is going to be fun! You're now part of the world of pink!" And it actually did make me wonder if, from their viewpoint, they were celebrating finding another patient to treat.

Yes, my thoughts exactly when I was presented with my 'fun' bag of pink things and if this is where all the BC money is going then no wonder no cure is in sight. It has become an industry that feeds off our misery. It's gross, and so is the constant reference to BC being a 'journey" with the implication being that it's going to be fun!

rock

a delayed "AMEN" to dlb823 and allone.  esp the "if this is where all the BC money is going..." part. 

kdeit

I know that ACS has funded the research of some 43 Nobel Prize winners - BEFORE they won.  ACS has Hope Houses in many major cities where patients and families can stay for free while undergoing treatment.  They have many programs to help patients and I for one am very proud that Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is one of their two major fundraisers.  It happens to be in October, and they use Pink to bring awareness, not only of bc itself, but of the opportunity to reach out and help each other. 

I'm sure that there are entities who are taking advantage, but I just hope that the good ones continue. ACS DOES make a difference!!

Sorry to be so adamant, but I feel nothing less than gratitude for what ACS, Susan G Komen and other reputable entities do and I could care less that they use Pink to promite it.

Hugs,

Karen

rock

No need to apologise for the way you feel.  And it is great that you feel so strongly about this, Karen. Maybe you could start your own thread describing all the wonderful things about ACS, MSABs, pink stuff, etc!  (I'm not writing that with a snotty tone, I swear!  It's just the purpose of this thread is to highlight the problem (and the ridiculousness) of the pink merchandising.

allalone

I realize that only one guy gets diagnosed with BC for every 100 women, but all the same if I were a guy I'd be more offended than ever by all this pink stuff.

kdeit

Hi Rock,

I like your idea - and no, I didn't hear a snotty tone at all in your post .

Hugs,

Karen

GramE

Lots of sticker were posted in Safeway today.  Every stinking aisle has at least one BC display - a plethora of pink...

otter

Help!  I think I'm going to throw up....

The nausea began when I was scanning Google News today and stumbled on this headline, with a link to the CBS News website: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/23/earlyshow/health/main5412960.shtml

Celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month

"Huh?", I thought.  Did I read that correctly?  Is someone suggesting that readers should "celebrate" breast cancer awareness month?  Could the writer possibly have made a poorer choice of words?  Are there Hallmark cards for that?

Ohhh, don't answer that.  Turns out, there are Hallmark cards for BC awareness. Here's a link to the Hallmark site describing one of the 2009 "Hallmark Cards for the Cure." This particular card is intended to support "co-surivivors" (i.e., all the friends, family members, and co-workers who are suffering through this with--or because of--us) and promote "early detection of breast cancer": http://corporate.hallmark.com/Multimedia/Item/Cards-for-the-Cure-2009

Cheery little thing, isn't it?  As usual, though, it's what's inside that counts.  The message inside this 2009 Hallmark "Cards for the Cure" card?:  "Just making sure your day is full of smiles."

Uh, would that be while we're seeing our bald, eyebrow-less, eyelash-less selves in the mirror yet again, or while we're briefly looking up after barfing into the commode, or perhaps as we contemplate the weighty choice of losing an entire breast versus enduring 35 rounds of radiation treatment?  Or, maybe it's when we're swallowing that little, white pill that is helping keep our cancer at bay even as it eats away at our bones?  Well, which is it, sweetie?  Where are those smiles?

(Before anyone gets on a "Be Positive" kick, I'm pre-empting it by recommending a visit to the "Just Diagnosed" forum. There, you'll see a thread started by one of our dear BCO sisters in April of last year. It goes by the title, "Be Positive!!!! (shuuut up!)".  Great stuff.)

But, I've gotten sidetracked. Back to "The [CBS] Early Show," and celebrating BC awareness month...  The e-news article on the CBS website says, " 'The Early Show' Features Products that Support Breast Cancer Research and Causes."  Astute readers will know where this is going.

First, we have the Sassy "Brighten Our World" Pink Mood-Lite, a hot-pink, 25-watt incandescent bulb that will surely cheer you up and undoubtedly result in a cure:

Then, there's the New Balance 993 Limited Edition "Lace Up for the Cure" pink suede running shoe, which can be customized to carry a personal message on the heel (e.g., "In Honor of Susan").  I am wondering how Susan would feel if she knew her name was up against a smelly foot, being tromped on with every stride through snow and mud, but, well... :

Maybe you'd be interested in this 135-piece Apollo Household Tool Kit... in pink, of course:

  

You might want to trade in your old, clunky computer for this bright, new Sony VAIO Series Mini-Notebook Bundle... in hot pink for BC awareness, of course:

There are others I cannot display here, because, despite my best efforts, I could not locate pics of them. 

One of my favorite non-pictured items is a specially marked and packaged "Duraflame Firelog," which is a fireplace log that's made of "manufactured" wood. Here's the description, borrowed from another celebratory website:  "Subtle is our catchphrase this season, and subtle is what the colorlog is all about. The wrapping of the log is pink, and when it burns, it flickers with pinks, purples and oranges. Nice symbolism of keeping the home fires of hope burning."  Just what I'd like to do, tonight: cut one of those special, commemorative "Duraflame Firelogs" from its pink wrapper, drop that sucker onto the andirons, light it up, and admire those pink flames.  They would go well with my hot flashes, I'll bet.

Okay, okay... I am having a good day today.  Really, I am.  I recognize that a designated amount of the purchase price of the items I'm taunting will go to Komen, or to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation; and those are both highly-rated philanthropic organizations. But it's just too temping.  I find it impossible to resist poking fun at some of this stuff.  It is just too silly to ignore.

I am still searching for those sky-blue tools to "celebrate" Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.  Haven't found 'em yet.

otter 

(Edit: In case there is anyone who hasn't noticed, my keyboard has determined the letter "t" to be unnecessary.  Despite lots of proofreading and re-do's, I still can't catch all the omissions.) 

AzKim

OMG! Otter? I LOVE your sarcasm,..I couldn't help but laugh at your analysis of these items,.lol,.not a funny subject but,.definately a funny post,.thank you! I'm still chuckling,..now,.where did I put my sassy pink bulb? *gag*,.lol.

Hugs ladies.

rock

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Otter and her posts.  (Otter, can we establish some basic policy on when I can use your stuff for my blog? when I have to ask permission? When I can just assume I have your permission?  You can say, "uh, you can never use what I write" and I will completely understand.  But jeez, this is genius.

"Where are those smiles?"

Oh my god, I think I have pulled a muscle in my increasingly flabby abdomen from laughing so hard while slouched on my couch. 

rock

Genius. Otter is genius.

Coming to know you, Otter, is one of the very best things to come out of the last two years of my life. You know I'm not the type to say words like "angel" but... you are a gift.

GramE

Click on this link if you want to pink up your kitchen:

http://www.bcrfcure.org/part_pinkprod_home.html 

iodine

Otter, you are delightful, and can spell all those "big" words, too!!!

Hood1980

Thanks for making my day/Breast Awareness Month Otter!  Priceless!