PLEASE! No more pink!
Good Morning Ladies,
I have a dear friend - sweet, kind, loving, thoughtful... How do I tell this amazingly generous friend that I really DO NOT WANT any more pink stuff. I wouldn't hurt her feelings for the world, but some days I think I'll scream if I see any more pink. PINK vacuum cleaners at Target?????
Looking forward to your advice - especially those of you who've been "at it" longer than I have 
.
Sunshine
Comments
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That's a hard one! I despise the pink stuff and most of the people close to me know that.I wonder if you could research a particular bc charity that you would like to support, then send out an email or letter to friends suggesting they direct any funds they might spend directly to the organization--maybe adding something about wanting to "simplify" your life and trying not to accumulate too many non-essentials?
I know that some people really do like the pink ribbon stuff, but I'm not one of them. They just pi$$ me off.
(((HUGS)))
Diane -
I don't mind the pink because I think it is sort of a "pink flag" for people to wake up and see how many women are affected by this disease. I feel gratitude every time I see the pink label on a can of tuna, a vaccum, a soup can or whatever. I do empathize with you about wearing too much pink, that can be too much. Stay well, MAryiz
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Sunshine, I agree with both Diane and Maryiz (if that is possible). I do like a little pink, I wear a hand-made pink ribbon pin as mary said to let people see just how many women are dx with this, but let me pick my pink items. But as Diane said letting people know gently that you would appreciate donations made to a bc charity instead of giving items to you. I know locally we can give to the local cancer center, wig bank of Caldwell county, Through Healing Eyes and several other groups for breast cancer support. Just do your research and find a charity you would like to support.
Sheila
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I was never a pink girl up until a few years ago. I now buy pink if it's available because I have 3 boys and my thought is if it's pink they won't touch it. It actually works for the most part... The pink vac at Target, yeah, I thought that was a bit overboard, but hey, if it's money towards bc research, I hope they sell oodles of them - I won't be buying one. That said, for Christmas this year all the females in the family will be getting lotions, soaps, etc..... all stuff that part of the proceeds benefit bc research. I just feel that they're so close to working out the science, and I need to believe that I'll see it come to fruition in my lifetime. Pink ribbons don't bother me, but I won't wear one. -k
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I'm ok with a little pink, but October is truly overboard, I think. What about all the other cancers, mental illness, etc.? I can also tell you this-if I win the lottery, I'm going to establish a foundation for women with Breast cancer that will actually HELP them pay thier medical bills, mortgage etc. until they're back on thier feet. It's ridiculous that all the money that's raised is all going to research. I absolutely believe in the research, don't get me wrong, but for God's sake, help some of these women financially-especially the ones with children, and especially if thy're single parents. OK, I'll get off my soap box!
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I hear you its not like I wanted to join this pink club for a baby its ok but I love pink I just hate breast cancer
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I get queasy when I see the October Pink Explosion. Especially last year when I was on chemo, and I walked into the grocery store and there was this mammoth display of pink cakes. Blech. And the mixers and vacuums at Target are a bit much, BUT, I did read Target's Sunday ad with all that merchandise in it carefully, and a portion of the Shark vac sales are going to breastcancer.org! Yay! I thought that was so cool, b/c I agree that there is enough money being thrown at research and there are needs elsewhere. Like our site.
As far as people giving us pink things--I think it's impossible for the general public to understand how the onslaught of pink stuff makes us feel, and our friends and family really think that they are helping and supporting us by getting us pink ribbon merchandise. So even though I cringe slightly when people give me something like that, I take it in the spirit in which it's intended.
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I know how you feel. I received allot of pink last year. I know everyone meant well...so even though I was getting sick of it (and I love the color pink...haha) I just accepted it...and appreciated their thoughtfulness.
A year from now...you won't even wear or use most of it.
All the best to you on your journey.
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When I was diagnosed with BC, I was very straight forward and told people not to even think of getting me anything pink or wear anything, if possible, around me that was related to breast cancer in any way. I didn't need pink to remind me of my diagnosis.
Pink was never one of my favorite colors and I find that I think twice before buying any thing pink to wear.
Sunshine, could you possibly just tell your friend very gently that you appreciate the thought but you just can't face more pink and tell her how pink makes you feel. Many people don't realize that some of us don't embrace the "pink."
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omg (so cute to say as my 7 year old little girl throws it around lately)...it seems so innocent for all the non-cancer having folks to throw pink around everything...i saw a sunday circular with pink cooking pots, pink vacuum, and pink mixing bowl...perhaps overboard and overcommercialization...but if big business is getting our money anyways, might as well see them delegate a portion of the profits to do some good in this world...it's a bandwagon that they're all jumping on...the biggest "feel good" campaign that i've ever seen (other than buying red products to support the fight against aids/hiv)...i, personally, LOVE pink...but wouldn't want my kitchen, cleaning closet and car interior colored as such...just my t-shirts and my daughter's sneakers...lol...IRISHDREAMA, you hit it right smack dab on the head: some of the money raised through various efforts should be delegated to covering financial overloads...and i wholeheartedly support the idea of helping out single mothers...i was that before marrying my knuckle head of a husband (great step father to my child)...and couldn't imagine undergoing the emotional and financial burden as a single parent...
<:AtomicElement>hey, think about this...at least the official color of the movement isn't slime lime green...lol
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I Love Pink! Well I did before...Now not as much.
Now I feel like if I wear Pink & I love all shades ...People will say- its because she has bc. Before they didnt say that.
I was given 2 pink bracelets which I dont wear. Some of the proceeds of one was donated & all of the Proceeds of the other was donated- so thats good. But I dont like them & I wouldnt have worn them before bc either.
I love the shade of the Pink Dyson at Target! I have an Icky Yellow Dyson. Id feel like the Pink Dyson would make me think of a big breast cancer boob every time I used it.
The Mixing Bowls & the pots & Pans-I like them!...Although I would never want to see the Pink pots & pans in my Kitchen- I think the bowls are pretty & I would use them.
Dyson makes a Donation for each vacuum sold up to 1.4million- And so does Kitchen Aid-So thats good.Shark Makes a $1 donation for each vacuum sold to bc.org! Brita there is no Purchase necessary they are donating 10,000. Its ones like that that make me angry- Its great that they make the donation...But leading consumers to think that they make a donation for each purchase...To many of those out there.
Pam
So I still love pink cloths...But feel funny wearing them now.
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It looks like I'm the odd man out here, but I DO wear pink and buy pink as a reminder to everyone that bc can hit anyone, anywhere, anytime. I certainly can say that it has never been my life ambition to be the poster child for bc, but as long as I have it, I might as well use it to help others be aware, either to encourage them to be proactive in their own health or assist with research to kill the beast.
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Jane.....I really don't mind the pink, either, and for the same reasons....I do think it can be overdone, though.....Our local news reminded people that no all "pink" products donate the same percentage of profits to cancer research....so be careful when you buy "pink"....I was glad to see that.
Sandy
PS...I'm a quilter, and have alway wanted a pink rotary cutter...You can only buy them in October. I might splurge and get one this year....Using a JoAnn's coupon, of couse....I hate to pay fulll price for that kind of thing....Fabric is another story (don't get me started)...
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I agree that people are getting a little more educated about the pink, as far as paying attention to how much money (if any) is actually going to breast cancer research organizations. So that's good. I think it's gross that corporate america realized it's a way to make some money, but also realize that that's just the capitalist way it is. I do have to agree that I feel lucky that there is so much attention paid to breast cancer. I have friends and family with other types of cancer, and they don't get the attention devoted to them. It's been 3 years for me, so most of my friends have calmed down with the pink chochkees (how do you spell that?)
All that being said, I have the same initial/gut reaction of, "oh please!", and then I check to see how much $$ they're actually giving. And as my son said about yoplait, "why don't they just donate the money then, what's with mailing all the lids?" LOL
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Pink is a marketing ploy.
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If you find any especially funny or disgusting pink-for-BC products or advertisements, please post them over on the "Pepto Bismol" thread rock started on the "Moving Beyond Cancer" forum (under "Recovery, Renewal, and Hope"). If you can get a picture of the product, that would be even better.
otter
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I've never liked pink even long before it became the breast cancer color - especially that pepto bismol shade that BC uses. It doesn't go with my complexion or satisfy my eyes. I'm more a blues and greens person. Or a rich fall purple or burgandy. Or lavendar - anything but pink. Why did I have to get a disease symbolized by a color I hate! At least no one has given me anything pink yet.
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I want a cure, not more pink ribbons. If you want good info on actual pink ribbon campaigns, check out thinkbeforeyoupink.org. Unfortunately, most companies are thinking PROFIT and not really about making a significant contribution to research. Some companies make up their own "pink ribbon gear" and don't donate a penny.
Kmart has such a line: "Show off your support in this "Screen Early" ribbon tee shirt. Wear it and love it." That is the product description. Are they kidding me? Now they are telling me to love breast cancer? Even with early detection, it still means the woman/man's life is made hell. Now a CURE I would LOVE.
I guess it is pink "seasonal wear" now. AKA seasonal profit.
I posted the thinkbeforeyoupink link on another thread and one of the gals said she sent an emial to all her well-meaning friends and family explaining her feelings about these products and the link. The gist of the site is "Do something besides shop for breast cancer." I think it is a great idea to pass along that site link to friends if you feel the same!! My sister works for the ACS and she gave me a little pair of pink ribbon socks and I like them just fine. But I don't want to think about breast cancer everytime I pull out the vacuum.
Here we go to Pink Ribbon Hell Month
And I am proud of all our work on the Pepto Bismol thread- check it out for a good laugh!
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/7/topic/721290?page=1
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I look good in pink - It's a color I've worn in sweaters, lipstick, lingerie. I have always grown pink roses (interspersed with white for contrast), ranging from the deepest shade to a faint blush. But I don't "do" pink.
Thank the good Lord that nearly all of my friends and family know this. But I had a generous, thoughtful "ChemoAngel" ( http://www.chemoangels.net/ ) who gifted me with enough pink tchotchkes (yep, that's how it's spelled!) to make up for all of 'em. But like you, Sunshine, I wouldn't hurt her feelings for the world. We're still buddies, a year after chemo. I think she felt so hyper-aware of my ordeal that when she saw pink, she thought of me. I accepted her gifts in that spirit, but I have to admit being more effusive in my thank you notes for the non-pink-ribbon stuff.
I have a wonderfully soft fleece throw, slipper-socks, journals, etc. from her that I can enjoy in my own home without feeling like I am making a statement, but the pair of pink-ribbon earrings she gave to me, I wore once (when we were able to meet for lunch one day) and then promptly donated. I think you just have to be gracious, as with any gift. She's not going to get you a vacuum cleaner, right? Maybe you could tactfully mention that now that your treatment is over you feel you'd like to move beyond pink? It's a tough call.
OTOH, the cashmere sweater, in deep rose pink, from a gentleman friend, I accepted happily!
Lisa
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It seems to me when I was first diagnosed I embraced the pink and all the pink ribbon items that well meaning people gave me. Now 3 months later I am getting a little sick of it. I think it is just overload! It is everywhere, on everything and breast cancer patients realize it but for the people around you that want to do something for you, they don't seem to know how overdone it is. I am not complaining, I think it has done fantastic things for research, awareness etc. but yeah it can become a bit much.
Marci
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roderadio,
I know you didn't mean it as an insult, but that slime lie green color is for Hogkin's lymphoma, which my son has. So even though its not my favorite, nor is pink, I do respect the colors. Personally in my house, we just say CANCER SUCKS! and get on with it! I do wear a purple (my favorite color) bracelet that says Cancer Sucks. To me, that says its all, no matter what you have. My mom has ovarian cancer. I would have to wear a rainbow to represent everyone I know who has cancer!
D
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Thank you for this ! I am SICK of pink ribbons ! My family and friends know not to get me anything pink. I am all for awareness, but sometimes I just want to go to the grocery store and not have to be reminded in every aisle.
There is actually a term for this called 'Pinkwashing'.It was coined by Breast Cancer Action. This is when corporations try to boost sales by associating their products with the fight against breast cancer. Many plop a pink ribbon on and don't donate a dime. So they say 'Think Before You Pink'
I saw a pink ribbon on a watermelon ! Think about it !
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OMG! On a watermelon?!? You've got to be kidding me, right?!?
The problem for me is that there is a big difference between awareness and "fighting" BC. I think I can safely say that everyone here is AWARE of BC - heck, it turned my life upside down after it did the same to my mom and aunt, so yeah, I'd say I'm pretty aware. Sure, we've come a long way in the last 10 and even five years, but since many women are still being diagnosed and many are lost to this crap each year, we've obviously not come far enough, IMHO.
I really would like to know about how much money is "donated" to BC causes each October. And who do Yoplait, Dyson and the other pinkwashers think they're fooling? Wouldn't they just write a a damn check to the BC org of their choice anytime between November and September if they were more interested in having this disease go the way of the dinosaur than their profits?
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I feel like I'm being pimped each and every October, which is truly a shame.
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Hi All,
We have a glass company here and appaently, the wife of the owner died. Does not say how but her favoriet collor was pink. They have a commercial for Fall, that says she painted her pumpkins pink. Their trucks are pink as well as thier coffee cups. I always think how sweet it is they mention their mom all the time.
Pink was one of my favorite colors for springtime. I still wear a lot and now people think it is because of BC. I do own a pink ribbon hoodie and fleece zipuup which I love. People I don't even know have given my pink ribbons. I am touched that they want to do something for me. It means they care. I am sitting in my pink satin pj's right now and have a pink fleece robe given to me by my mom. I made some pink ribbon bead stretchy bracelets to take to the onc patients at my local onc center. I am two fold on this. I enjoy pink and enjoy making pink stuff for people.
But......I hate the marketing ploy by using pink ribbons. Especially Yoplain and having to save the yogurt lids.....gross. Why can't they just make a donation based on the amounts they sell. We have just been pinked to death. When they began using pink to line the pockets or corporate america, we lost the real reason for the pink ribbon.
Just back from exchange surg today and walking by the hospital gift store...yep windows lined with pink merchandise.
Debbie
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Morning everyone.
Newbie here.
Thanks for letting me know about October. I am not opposed to pink anything. My mom told me that a member of my family secretly had Breast Cancer--it was considered shameful for a woman to have and or talk about Breast Cancer 50 years ago-- and died. Bring on the pink please.
I bought a book with a catchy title...to me...when I was diagnosed in June. Five lessons I didn't learn from Breast Cancer (and the big one I did) by Shelley Lewis. I was and still am angry about my dx; her book made me laugh and that's a good thing. She is not a pink lover either. I hope you like the book a little...if it's offends anyone I apologize.
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Qu33n, I am with you. I have boys too and found that if I got pink things they would leave them alone! And I have always loved pink, even though there can be too much of it around these days.
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Hello to all,
bar62 - I also bought the book and loved it.
I feel the same way as most of you do....I totally respect and I am thankful for what people did with getting breast cancer awareness out to the general public (the pink campaign) but I have been indited with pink stuff.
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C130sunshine and bar62 -
Me, too on the book!! I had to LOL my way through it. I agree with her comments on pink anything, but I loved her statement that anyone who thinks bc is a gift, is not invited to her birthday party! Brilliant!
I don't like advertising my breast cancer with pink anymore than I want to advertise my flatulence problems with a green cloud!
Susan
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Susan...I know what you mean about the "green cloud". No one ever tells you about things like that. Can you see if the commercials would include all the "fun" side effects of chemo (the wonderful pee smell, constipation (or diarrhea), what I call the hair tongue, etc). LOL
I feel the same way...this is not a club I wanted to be a part of! I actually had some one tell me when I was first diagnosed (acutally I was just told about having breast cancer and returned to work)..."welcome to the sisterhood". I almost punched her.
kim
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Afternoon everyone,
C130sunshine and mzmiller99, I'm so happy the book made you both laugh
Does anyone feel like they did when they were pregnant? I ask this question in the most inoffensive way. I have food cravings now (two weeks post first AC treatment, I want baked potato with sour creme and chives) similar to the cravings I had when I was pregnant.
I've got to have that food right NOW. I went to Wendy's last weekend to get just that food; I was too tired to bake them myself. This feels weird to me; maybe I have low Potassium.
Cwazy sexy cancer my ass...Bah Humbug! I tell people I have this damn cancer when they ask why I cut my hair so short. Some people look at me like huh, other people laugh. The city is cool with most things--NYC--individuality reigns here. I've seen women walking around with bald heads for years. Now I wonder if the bald close cropped heads I've seen over the past few years had BC...most likely.
Strangers are cool here....but my friends...whew.
Three of my friends have been weird and non-supportive..One stopped talking to me in mid-sentence in June. She called me this weekend, for the first time since she hung up on me, to ask me if there is much difference between African men and AF/AM men. She wants a husband and is from Nigeria. I'm like ?????
Another friend told me to have all my tests and x-rays redone because they could all been mistaken. She is a fellow RN. ??? She was adamant and pissed me off big time. Another friend...RN... told me to stop agonizing over my hair and that I should have had a mastectomy not a lumpectomy to prevent future recurrences or consequences .
aaaaarrrh
Glad to be here.
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