Pink: Not just for Pepto Bismol anymore

Options
145791023

Comments

  • Gillkath
    Gillkath Member Posts: 149
    edited September 2008

    Hi everyone,

    I just wanted to say how thankful I am that I found this topic this morning ..... I have just been struggling lately with the fact that I have breast cancer and just have been feeling down (even though it has been over a year since my diagnosis).

    Anyway, I think it is funny that once you are diagnosed, people give you "Pink" everything ....I hate the pink merchandise ..... My best friend gave me a pink spatula and a large pink-handled knife ..... boy what I could do with that knife ....... (just kidding!!)

    You know, I doubt that there is a similar marketing strategy for testicular cancer ... can't you just picture testicular blue ribbons (or whatever color) on bumper stickers or ......

    Thanks.

    Laurie

  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited September 2008

    Here for the crocheters from Annie's Attic Think pink crochet for the cure

    http://www.anniesattic.com/detail.html?prod_id=22973

    I also got the newest Herrshners catalog for their big yarn sale and they have a special package of assorted pink yarns for Pink October. I couldn't find it on their web site, it did not mention any part of the cost going to BC research.

    I saw at the grocery store Orbits bubble gum with pink ribbons and 10% of the price of the packages of gum sold in Sept and Oct would go to research. That was on a pack of gum that sells for 69 cents.

    Sheila

  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited September 2008

    Being rather naughty, I have started sending emails to companies and websites who are selling pink items, giving them a link to this thread.

  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited September 2008

    Rats.  Cancel the alert.  I won't have time to go back to Dick's or KMart today, to document the pink stuff.  I'll get back to y'all on that...  I guess we have all of next month, right?

    otter 

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited September 2008

    Welch's grape juice has a pink border with ribbon, and they contribute to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.   Panera has a pink ribon bagel with proceeds -dont say how much - to one of the local hospitals - if I remember - cranberries and cherries.

    Safeway (grocery  store) has tear off slips at the check out for a donation to  "local agencies".  I asked which agencies and no one knows and how much of the donation actually is donated - again no one knows...    Famous Footwear has a pink elastic bracelet for $ 2 and it says ALL proceeds are donated.   

    I have printed up stickers  with "Breast Cancer is a Disease, NOT a marketing opportunity" and I will be sticking them on pink ribbon displays as I see them.   Did I read that the "click here to support breast cancer"  site needs 40,000 clicks to pay for ONE mammogram... !!!!!   I also made 4 water bottle covers with Cancer Sucks on them.   Keeps my fingers busy and keeps me off the street -- lol - just kidding !!    

  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited September 2008

    be careful sticking those stickers up! Don't want you escorted off the property for vandalism!!

     Did you guys read about the BC girl from the Road to Hell thread who hip checked the pink ribbon potato chip display knocking it over? 

     Classic.

  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited September 2008

    Attention, KMart shoppers!

    Here's something for frying up those tasty lymph nodes:

    A few utensils to help with the task:

    Some storage containers for the leftovers:

    And, finally, something we can all use--a diet scale!:

    Can I quit for the day?

    otter 

  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited September 2008

    Here's an awkward moment.  I'm riding in the car with another gymnastics mom and her daughter and my dd and I start telling them about all the odd "pink" things that have shown up here.  So the two of us are snorting and rattling off about pink ribbons in the mouths of eagles, as shoes, on piggy banks, dart sets and frying pans.  We're not getting much reaction, so I cut it off thinking she's not getting it.  As we're getting out of the car, dd points out to me the PINK cooler in the back.  Oh.  My bad.  

    Surprised   Embarassed 

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited September 2008

    HI:

    Cristine:  nothing wrong with a pink cooler or even pink ribbons - MY opinion, but dont shove it/them down my throat.   

    Otter:  you forgot the pink blender to grind up the left overs !!!!!!   I was thinking that I have USA flags around to show my "allegiance" and support - IF I take that attitude with pink and pink ribbons, it is a way to show support.  Obviously the military does not get any proceeds from the sale of flags...   Just a thought.  And lets face it.. it ain't gonna stop any time soon.  

  • shari1232
    shari1232 Member Posts: 161
    edited September 2008

    With the exception of my boss and one co-worker, no one at my company knows my "deep dark secret."  I've been here a month.  I am still figuring out what my treatment plan is, and I really don't want attention -- it makes me cry.  So.... I'm walking to a meeting with a colleague, and she says, "Oh darn!  I meant to bring you a pink ribbon to wear.  Did you know it's breast cancer awareness month?  Did you know you could wear jeans on Friday if you donate?  My good friend who worked here died last month of breast cancer.  I hope you will contribute."  I swallowed hard and thanked her. 

  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited September 2008

    ouch Shari.... chin up-- it won't always be this way, and we've got your back.

  • chj127
    chj127 Member Posts: 382
    edited September 2008

    Otter, that's just so ridiculous, all that pink stuff!  Who the heck wants pink utensils??????  I guess I was never a pink person in the first place, and this stuff just looks stupid.  Let's just bring back harvest gold from the 70's, eh?

    Shari - yes, chin up.  I can't imagine keeping all that stuff from coworkers. In my early days, I would burst into tears at every little thing, and just figured that those around me needed to know what my problem is.  I got SO much support.  But I also know everyone is different, and we handle thing in the way we are most comfortable.  Hang around here, it's the best support system ever!

    Where in MD are you, if you don't mind me asking?  I work downtown Baltimore, live in Carroll County.

    CHJ

  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited September 2008

    Chj, it is hard to believe, but I know someone who is in heaven with pink utensils.

    My daughter's friend loves pink and when she was getting married, asked for all her kitchen utensils and appliances to be pink.  LOL- guess her husband to be didn't get to weigh in on the kitchen decor.

    I am a (ex) Marylander.  I lived in Columbia (Howard County) for 30 years before retiring and moving to Florida.

  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited September 2008

    Otter -- my eyes! my eyes!

  • samon
    samon Member Posts: 100
    edited September 2008

    I'm sure glad I found this thread.  I thought I was being too negative about my dislike for all the pink stuff.  It's getting so that I don't want to go shopping anymore until November.  I was at the grocery store today and wanted to get some cream cheese and when I reached for my favorite brand, the container was now pink.  I totally lost my appitite and decided to buy a different brand.  Is there any other disease that gets marketed as much as bc or are we just all more aware of it.  I don't mind their bein a bc awareness month, but all this pink is really getting to me.

  • prayrv
    prayrv Member Posts: 941
    edited September 2008

    IT BURNS!   IT BURNS!!!!!

    Is nothing sacred anymore???

    A diet scale!?

  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited September 2008

    (Cris, need i remind you of the time I was at a cafe and loudly went on and on (and on) about how ridiculous looking "crocs" shoes are? 12 minutes later, I realized the entire cafe had fallen silent, except for the sound of other customers shuffling their croc-sporting feet!  I feel your pain, sister. I feel your pain!)

  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited September 2008

    I found a pink product we might all want to use on somebody instead of a shovel as mentioned on another thread. Are you ready? First I must say it sells for $15.00 and $3.00 goes to Susan G. Komen.

    Tomboy Tools hammer

  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited September 2008

    Christina Applegate is on Oprah today. I wanna hear what she has to say.

     Her new website has a ribbon on it, but not the annoying one we all know and love. 

    http://www.rightactionforwomen.org/index.html 

  • prayrv
    prayrv Member Posts: 941
    edited September 2008

    I watched the last portion of Oprah this afternoon, (missed the interview with Christina Applegate), but my IOS is with Oprah.  I haven't watched the show in a long time (years actually), and I just thought that everytime Oprah was done talking to a guest, she would look away and didn't seem concerned.  Is it me?  I was really disappointed in her reactions.  I remember when (ages ago) when you would actually see emotion and tears from Oprah, but not today.  And there were a lot of commercials - expected that.  Very disappointed.  Also why does she only have "good" looking women on her stage and let the ones going through active treatment on web cams? WTH  She should show the world in living color what treatment is like.   Granted I did not have chemo but that irritated me.

    Gentle Hugs to all,

    Trish

  • Maryiz
    Maryiz Member Posts: 975
    edited September 2008

    trish, I am with you.  I didn't get that she really felt it, actually, a little condescending, I think she called someone dear.  The women has brain mets, dear?  I thought they could have done so much more.  Nancy Komen has been fighting since 1982, where the hell are we?  Like snails, creeping along.  One positive point, finally showing some young women with BC.  Maybe they can take their age 40 mammogram and stick it up -------------.  Sorry, I am not usually like this, usually polite, calm, but very disappointed in that show.  It should have had the effect of the Boston Tea Party, I just didn't see it.  Maryiz

  • chj127
    chj127 Member Posts: 382
    edited September 2008

    I just watched the (taped) Oprah show.  The interview with Christina was the best part of it - pretty emotional.  It brought back memories.  And yes, I though Oprah was very dismissive with the woman who had the metastasis.  I almost never watch Oprah anymore.  I used to like her...

     CHJ

  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited October 2008

    Just remembered this one.  I saw it on a bookshelf at Lowe's, of all places:

    Better Homes & Gardens Pink Plaid Limited Edition Cookbooks:  http://cms.komen.org/komen/Partners/CorporatePartners/011444

    Apparently, I'm a little late to catch on, though.  This program (the Better Homes & Gardens collaboration with Komen on a pink cookbook) has been going on for several years.  This is the 2008 edition.

    otter 

    [Edited to add:  WTH is "The Promise", and why hasn't it accomplished anything???] 

  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
    edited October 2008

    For many years, well before I ever contemplated the possibility that I would get BC (which actually would have been up to and including this past July), I bought all that pink crap thinking I was supporting the fight against bc. I even bought a bunch of it when I was first diagnosed until I started reading this thread.  I really think the consumers need to know.  I went to Wal-Mart, Target and Burlington Coat Factory tonight and there was pink  stuff all over the place.  I was with my dd and I pointed out to her how vague they were about how much money they were donating and to whom?

    I have been to the Komen site, but I think I might be missing something.  Where does the money go?  Does it fund research?  Where? Does any of it go to patients struggling with BC?  Maybe I'm just not looking in the right spot.  I do know that just about EVERYBODY has heard of them.

    Shari - just tell your co-worker you've already contributed to breast cancer research.

  • Juli50
    Juli50 Member Posts: 859
    edited October 2008

    The Ellen Show is kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Wednesday, Oct. 1st. I was in the audience when it was taped today. (I'm wearing a green shirt, Ellen dances right by me going up the 1st aisle). Suzanne Somers talks about her new book "Breakthrough - Eight Steps to Wellness". Ellen is selling pink versions of her t-shirt and boxer shorts, but she didn't give anything pink away. (We did get a free round trip ticket to anywhere in the continental US from American Airlines though!!!)

    Juli

  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
    edited October 2008

    Juli -

    My son is going to try to tape it for me tomorrow.  If not, I'm hoping to buy one off the web site.  Is it worth it? It sounds like it.

  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited October 2008

    Rock - Thanks for the reminder and the sympathy!

    Nancy -  I agree. If someone wants to buy pink stuff for themselves, go for it!!!  I would rather not be reminded every 5 minutes and what I find offensive (like many others have said) is the marketing of disease for gain. 

    I wanted to see that Oprah show and now I'm going to have to search the website.  Today, my Vons (grocery store) flyer was entirely about the pink.  Meat had pink ribbons.  Isn't it supposed to be pink anyway?!

  • chj127
    chj127 Member Posts: 382
    edited October 2008

    Yes, and this morning, I had the radio on, and the announcer said, "TODAY IS OCTOBER 1ST, WHICH BEGINS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH."  Jeez, a whole month of this stuff.  Blaaaaaah!   The announcer proceeded to say that you will see lots of pink stuff in the stores and that you should buy it because the proceeds of all these items go to support breast cancer research!!  NOT!  No wonder people get on the bandwagon.  And this wasn't an advertisement or anything, just a radio guy talking.  I guess I should call.

    CHJ

  • flyrzfan
    flyrzfan Member Posts: 557
    edited October 2008

    Over the weekend I was at the grocery store with my niece. Now, she knows that I have cancer, we have just never discussed what kind. Lo and behold, while walking through the store have a gay old time goofing off with an 8yr old ~ there stands a 5ft display of "pink ribbon" potato chips. I promise, it was the steriods ~ I puched that sucker over like it was my arch enemy. Then, we ran like the dickens. I gave my niece the gist of why I did it and whe giggled until my girlfriend re-appeared and then we promptly acted like we did nothing wrong.

    Imagine my delight when I had to swing by said grocery store again last night ~ and found the display back up. Oh the delight I took in knocking it back down. I wonder how many times I can get away with this before they ask me not to come back?

  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited October 2008

    I really miss the giraffe....

Categories