Yes, I am Breast Cancer Girl!!!

annamari

So this is Breast cancer awareness month.  I happen to love the colour pink and always have.  I walked 5K in the run for the cure and I am proud of that acomplishment  Thru it I raised money for research which will hopefully erradicate this horrid disease. I don't let it get in my face on a daily basis but  I approach this as a battle to fight and with God's help WIN.  I do not call myself a survivor but a warrior and I am doing all I can to help others never to have this disease.  So let's love pink and do something constructive.

hester

No offense intended here, but is there any clear information out there about HOW donations are allocated by each national cancer  organization? What's the percentage that goes to real research and/or direct assistance versus marketing, administrative salaries, and yes...big pink banners?  I'm a teacher and it's hard for me to explain to my students why I don't get behind these "celebrity" causes. Till I tell them about by brother in law, who died of pancreatic cancer, leaving 2 young children without a dad.  THERE's a cancer that needs more attention.  What color ribbon does pancreatic cancer get?

Even though I've had BC twice and just had BMX with DIEP flap reconstruction, I want my money to be well spent.  I'm reluctant to give it to well-intentioned teenagers so they can have new pink shirts.

Suzybelle

The biggest and most well known org. donates only approx. 20% to breast cancer research and very little of the monies raised go toward helping women who are suffering with breast cancer.  They are a operating as a business, and a highly successful one.  Also, as has been pointed out in another thread, the CEO makes over $500K annually, and the #2 person makes over $400K...I think that says a lot.

If you REALLY want to make a difference, donate to a research facility or a group that is actively helping women undergoing treatment for breast cancer.  I choose to give all of my donations to Breast Cancer Action and a local charity called "Women First" who help women with actual expenses related to treatment/living expenses.  Do a walk or run - that's great...but don't just take my word for it on the stats about funds dispersement in my first paragraph.  Look it up and see for yourself.

We all want a cure - that's the most important thing.  I don't want my daughter to have to make some of the decisions I had to make...if we find a cure, she won't have to.

Marple

I too donate a little closer to home, directly to the cancer unit at the hospital I go to.  It is a teaching hospital so I'd like to think my dollars are being better spent on things other than 'pink'.

This time last year I inadvertently bought paper towels with the pink ribbon on them.  I didn't realize it until I opened up the package.  I'm sorry that my dog is old and pukes occasionally but it gave me some pleasure to use those towels to clean up such messes.    I just finished the final roll this past Sept.

lvtwoqlt

I too wonder how much is going to help real people. This morning I am attending a pink pancake breakfast sponsored by the local fire department to raise funds that stays locally to help women with mammograms as well as camisoles for the newly diagnosed after surgery and other things for the local wig bank. This is the 2nd year that they are doing this. They also are selling pink firemen t-shirts, I am not buying the t-shirt but going for the breakfast. I too look to see how much is actually going to the foundations on items that are 'pinked'.

I admit that I do sponsor a 'pink Sunday' at church but we focus on education and I will include this year some of the facts about metastatic breast cancer. Last year a young woman (38 yr old) who grew up in my church lost her battle with metastatic breast cancer and everyone at church is well aware of the cost of this horrible disease.

Sheila 

juli0212

I do not donate at all.  My reason?  I donated ENOUGH to my OWN treatments, paying out of pocket, but yes, lucky to have insurance as well.

annamari:  Methinks you were taking this thread a bit too seriously, it's intended (I 'presumed') as just an outlet, there's enough serious stuff out there.   I LOVE this thread and its intention!  NOT to take away from legitimate charities (this one) at all, it's just an outlet for us.   

~juli

Anonymous

Until recently, I had not distinguished between raising funds for "awareness" and raising funds for "research". I bet a lot of folks not intimately involved with BC have not given that difference much thought, either.  We need less "awareness" campaigning and more research for good, lasting, treatment outcomes.

Sorry, didnt mean to be serious.  On with the fun!  Pink champagne, anyone?

Suzybelle

Hey, I'm all for pink champagne.    I might even break out my pink Bicycle playing cards. 

edited to say - I have no idea why the above is so BIG.  I must just be larger than life today.

juli0212

SuzyBelle:  You ARE larger than life!~!   I'm glad you started this thread...it's taken on a life of its ownnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!         ~juli

Firni

I have to say I've really enjoyed all the pinkness on this thread.

I do not do pink for awareness.  I did not do the Race for the Cure this year.  I had my bmx 2 years ago on 10-29.  Imagine my delight at all the pink while waiting for my cancer to be cut away. For the entire month!!!

I do have a pink pearl bracelet with a pink ribbon charm on it that a friend gave me.  It's just really pretty.  Otherwise, since BC used up all my money and I can't donate to anything, I volunteer at the local ACS resource center and with Reach to Recovery.  It makes more sense for me to help other women directly who are starting this journey or are in the middle of it. 

I would like to see the pink troll pens.  A bit of ugly with a pretty color.  Almost too crazy not to have one. 

Suzybelle

I know, Firni - I may have to go back and get one.  My daughter (26 now) LOVED trolls when she was a kid!

Juli, I need pink lettering to go with my big letters for this thread!!!!

Marple

Here you go Suzanne.

Suzybelle

heh heh - I need to spell 'vomit' with those letters!!!!!!!

juli0212

  This close enough?  It's NOT PINK though...SO SORRRRRRY!   ~juli

Firni

DH bought fish in a pink package today.  Wasn't the healthy kind either.  It's the breaded kind he likes to deep fry.  Just says they support "cancer causes".   When the checker asked him if he wanted to donate to BC, he said no.  We already gave.  Guess he did ok.

hester

I hope you all saw this in Sunday's New York Times Magazine.  Great article. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/14/magazine/14FOB-wwln-t.html?ref=magazine

I'm so happy October is over!

AmyIsStrong

I had new windows installed today.  Each window had a big label with the pink ribbon on it.  And October is OVER! Yeesh. (Love the new windows though.)

hester

Here's a great article from Sunday's New York Times Magazine.  I'm so happy October is over. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/14/magazine/14FOB-wwln-t.html?ref=magazine

juli0212

Firni:  I say the same thing:  I ALREADY GAVE (and keeeeeeeeep giving, meds anyone???).   I deplore mass emails, and got ANOTHER one from my CAR DEALER asking for donations.  I wrote back (AGAIN) telling them to ONLY use my email for my CAR info, NOT asking for money, I GAVE THERE TOO, DAMMIT!            ~juli