Pink: Not just for Pepto Bismol anymore

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

    the general mills pink together-- my friend Jen is the embassador-- she was dx at age 28 5 years ago.  They have 5 embassadors and they send them all around the country speaking-- I've seen the videos, and they really are doing good things-- So don't stop buying cheerios.

    Tina- I LOVE your signature.... and I think that will be my answer, should I get harassed into buying  PINKWASHED product.

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  • JulieC
    JulieC Member Posts: 324
    edited October 2008

    Just came back from Wal-Mart where I saw a pink broom and dust pan set by O'Cedar.  Display too big to knock over - sorry. They donate $75,000 ...  I don't sweep much now.  I definitely wouldn't be inclined to sweep if I have to look at a pink broom every time.

    Julie

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  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited October 2008

    Anyone know business owners who are breast cancer patients or survivors- I would prefer to support them directly!

    Kristy

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  • kdeit
    kdeit Member Posts: 209
    edited October 2008

    cmb35,

    How awesome for your son and his friends to sport the pink bands on their braces!!  And congratulations on them joining you in your walk. I'm also walking in a Making Strides walk - it's October 18th here.

    At the risk of getting booted off this thread, while I do understand the anger with companies who are simply getting on the "pink" bandwagon, I also believe that there are alot of companies out there who do get it, and who would be taken aback at some of the comments made here. 

    I ran out of printer paper when I was printing out fliers about the MSABC walk to be inserted into Gatorland Zoo employee's pay envelopes (yes, they contacted me with that request, and I hope for some donations to ACS , plus my team will gain walkers, who in turn will educate and help others), and when I saw the HP paper at OfficeMax stating that 20% of profit is being donated to research and awareness, I chose it over the other paper.  No, it doesn't state exactly which entity will receive the funds, but I have to trust that it will be donated wisely.

    Perhaps instead of knocking down displays, it would be more effective, in the long run, to start a campaign of meeting in person with various top management people in our local stores, and asking them to help educate their corporate offices about the various concerns mentioned here.

    Hugs,

    Karen

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

    Kristy Ann, there is a local non-profit organization who produces calendars with local people who have been dignosed with BC as the models. It was started when the founder was dx in 2005 and she wanted to document her journey. Their site is www.throughhealingeyes.org and the calendars are $15 + $5 shipping. All the profits from the calendars stay in the three county region. I am one of the models for 2009 along with my mother (my avitar is a picture of the photo in the calendar). Their mission is to promote breast cancer awareness through education, to provide inspiration to those affected by breast cancer and to make breast cancer diagnosis and treatment available to those unable to afford care. All the photos look like glamour shots but they show all stages from bald and beautiful to many years out from diagnosis.

    Sheila

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  • Sociologist
    Sociologist Member Posts: 237
    edited October 2008

    Hey Sheila,

    What a beautiful idea! I'm ordering several today. Thanks! I try not to buy any "pink products" unless they state specifically what percentage of the proceeds to go bc research. I buy a few things from one bc site that uses a portion of everything sold to fund mammograms. I appreciate that manufacturers that are trying to promote bc awareness but it is a bit overkill!

    Margaret

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2008

    We all understand that money for research is important, but the problem is that so much money is being collected that no one seems to know exactly how much is raked in or where the hell it all goes. Don't get me started on Komen - great idea, but somehow it seems that something got lost in the translation. They may take in $10 million THIS MONTH ALONE, but what the hell will all the $ be used for?

    I kind of think of BC like hunger. It burns my hide when all the local agencies do bunches of feeding programs around Thanksgiving. All fine and dandy, but people are hungry the other 51 weeks of the year, too. I don't think it's enough to just cheer and "fight for a cure" during October as people are dying from this sh*t every day of the year. I'm angry that the attempt to "help" gets made all pretty, pink and anticeptic, not bald, puking and in pain. I'm not a freaking marketing tool - I'm a real live person with a family to love and care for who still battles this crap every stinking day...

    Yep, great strides have been made, but I'm personally tired of reading about our sisters here on this very board who are running out of chemo options. TREATMENT isn't enough any more. A CURE is what I want, and call me selfish, but I don't think waiting another 20 years for whomever is responsible for deciding what is important enough to concentrate on to "get it" is acceptable.

    It's not pink that I hate, or the idea of the ribbons. I hate what the pink is coming to stand for.

    Stepping off my soap box now... 

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

    I know that this is the anti pink thread but, thank you Margaret for ordering the calendars. Friday is the big Gala at the Hickory Museum of Art, it is like a gallery opening and all the models will be there autographing their page with (gasp! Surprised) pink sharpies. Unfortunately since September 10, 2 previous models have lost the fight of mets, Mr. October 2008 passed away Sept 10 and, my friend who was in the 2006 calendar passed away on Sunday. Katheryn said that the 2009 calendar will be dedicated to their memories on Friday at the Gala. They also have an area on the last page in memory of the models who have passed. This is not a marketing ploy just a local event to raise funds to help the communities. I know that funds from the 2008 sales were distributed to the local support groups.

    Now back to the anti-pink campaign.

    I looked at the local fliers from the grocery stores and there was a half-page section full of pink-stuff on special just for BC awareness. I guess I will have to get the pink coffee because I am completely out and, my hubby likes his coffee on the weekend and the brand he likes has the pink label.

    Sheila

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  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited October 2008

    You guys are cracking me up!

    Sorry 'bout your friends Sheila....

    Hi Margaret!!

    Hugs, Traci

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  • SherriM
    SherriM Member Posts: 179
    edited October 2008

    I had a bone density scan today at my Breast Center, and as I was leaving the tech handed me a little pink bag and said "It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so here's a little gift for a reminder".  Now lucky for her I had just had a lecture from dd the younger about not shooting the messenger...cause I'm standing there bald as can be in my ballcap.....thinking "Yea, like I need whatever's in this little pink bag to remind me of breast cancer!!" 

    Speaking of dd the younger....another reason to love pink even though I hate it....she just had an ultrasound, and she, too, is having a girl!!!  So I have two granddaughters on the way, due 6 weeks apart.  WOOOHOOOO for pink!!  (like I wrote a couple of weeks ago, some serious compartmentalization needed here!  LOL)

    Sherri

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  • jane59
    jane59 Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2008

    Over here Mt Franklin water uses pink labels and caps in oct. Most places stock it yesterday I had sushi and asked for a bottle of water and they only had that brand well while eating I was reading the bottle and under the name is the slogan "Drink positive, Think positive"???? So of course I'm so much more positive now after drinking their water I never have to worry about BC again.

    Just watching one of our morning shows and they're doing a piece on October Breast Awareness month and apparently the exterior of some universities, the Sydney Opera  House and the Harbour bridge are going to be lit with pink lighting for the month.

    The only pink stuff I got at dx was flowers. My friens gave me wine, chocolate and dvd,s

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  • Liz08
    Liz08 Member Posts: 470
    edited October 2008

    Here's one but at least the add states what percentage will be donated to where and will do a minimum donation. This is a little bit better of a marketing strategy than those pink appliances at Target. 

    Click to view this message in a browser

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

    Hi everyone:

    I cannot post a picture, but next to the pink blender and vacuum, my favorite is a cow bell - maybe ring it in the ears of those who need a wake up call !!!    

    Stapes has return address labels that you can print on.  I use the 1" X 4" ones and print my allergies - LOTS and this way I give a sticker to doctor and nurse and technicians and I dont forget any.  And for my emergency phone #'s.  I have one stuck on fridge and one on back of my door - just in case it is needed.    You can print on a sheet of regular paper and hold it up behind the sticker page and then play around to get it centered.   

    Obviously I have WAY toooo much time on my hands and IF you are desperate - PM me with your postal address (in the USA only) and I will main you a sheet of them.   Since I am now on my steroid BUZZ after yesterdays tx.... I am raring to go.  

    GO GET EM, gals... Cancer is a word, not a sentence !!!!!   HUGS,  Nancy 

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

    OOPS,  I meant I will MAIL you a sheet, not "main" you...

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited October 2008
    Saw lovely pink ribbon magnets at Walgreens today.  No mention of any percentages of the sale going anywhere, except probably to Walgreens.  That's the stuff that pisses me off.  I don't mind so much the ones that are at least contributing something.
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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited October 2008

    The lastest Macy's circular (advertising their Columbus Day sales) has a very subtle ad on the inside cover for a pink ribbon key chain. Price $2, with $1 going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. They didn't do anything hokey like have a pink diamond sale, so I give them kudos for that and the 50% donation.

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  • Sociologist
    Sociologist Member Posts: 237
    edited October 2008

    Good Morning Ladies,

    I just got my quarterly magazine from www.networkofstrength.org and here's what is says about Walgreens and Revlon...25% of the purchace price of the specially marked bc merchandise goes to the Network of Strength (formerly YMe). The items will have a tag with Your Shoes 24/7 support number. If you purchase $5.00 of this merchandise, you also get a $5.00 reward from Revlon Rewards that can be used as $$$ off your next Revlon purchase. Not too bad of a deal!

    Margaret

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2008

    Hi!  I received a packet of grocery store adds in the mail today. Dominicks grocery store here in Chicago made it sound like if you bought that boneless roast, served tasty rice, along with fresh asparagus, and finished it with a sip of champayne - we could make a difference together.  In Pink!

    It angered me.  Showed it to my DH and said look at this.  Isn't it disgusting.  He answers by saying "they have to get the word out somehow."  I think for a moment and tell him but they are making huge profits off breast cancer.  I wish they wouldn't put limits on how much they donate.  If you purchase a product advertising donations, that donation should be honored.

    I went window shopping yesterday and saw lots of crazy pink stuff.  Found myself looking very closely at where the donations were going.  I found some that were donating towards research and cure.  Those are the items I would choose to buy.

    Sadly I saw this last year and saw it again this year.  Walked through a hospital gift shop.  They had all kinds of pink stuff.  Mints in little pink aluminum holders.  Pink on the outside with a big kiss left by a persons lipstick.  For breast cancer awareness month.  I asked the clerk where the profits for those mints went, along with the pink ribbon pins they were selling.  Ha - the profits to the hospital gift shop.  Also found a stand with ribbons of all different colors for different kinds of cancers.  Profits?  You guess it.  Hospital gift shop.

    Nicki

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  • sccruiser
    sccruiser Member Posts: 1,119
    edited October 2008

    Someone may have mentioned this already:

    Yesterday the Breast Cancer Action newsletter arrived--and on the front page in big letters is "Think before you Pink." They discuss Yoplait yogurts pink lids. If you saved the lids and wanted to have them donate $36. from the lids you sent them--you would need to eat yogurt 3 times a day until the end of December. In addition, Yoplait uses milk from cows that are treated with BHG--growth hormone. The BCA asks that we write letters to Yoplait or call them or email them, and ask them to buy their milk from cows not treated with growth hormone, instead of buying the yogurt and sending them the lids! They also state that there is some evidence that the growth hormones might be responsible for some cancers growing more quickly than others, but that more testing needs to be done. So, I'm not buying Yoplait, and I will send in my complaint letter! 

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  • yellowrose
    yellowrose Member Posts: 886
    edited April 2009

    I talked to someone who works with "Pampered Chef"  During the month of October they are donating a portion of all October sales and in-home parties to American Cancer Society.  No cutsie tools just a promise to donate.  I was touched by this approach to help.

    They gave me a pin that says "Whip Cancer" with a ribbon and a whip on it.  While the pin wasn't my cup of tea, I really appreciate the low-key commitment to cancer research

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

    I was in Rite Aid (drug store) last night and did NOT see one single BC pink product... Nothing at the cash register or anywhere in sight.  

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  • CanItBeTrueNH
    CanItBeTrueNH Member Posts: 86
    edited October 2008

    Making Strides Logo

    2008 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Boston, MA

    Sunday, October 5, 2008
    DCR Hatch Memorial Shell, Charles River Esplanade
    Rolling registration & walk start: 8 - 10 a.m.

    Together we've raised $1,625,970.19 and there are still 1 days to go!

    http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/walks.faces?siteId=2&link=ctg_bcs_walks_from_walks_sidetabs

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

    If a store or company donates money to bc, even if it states the money goes to research and cure, they should be specific about exactly where that is.  To a local medical school?  To a hospital?  To the ACS?  To Komen to be distributed at their whim?  To what organization?

    Not only is my grocery chain running pink ads all month, they are asking for a donation of $1 at the cash register.  It'll be a cold day in hell before they get my money.

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  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited October 2008

    Don't forget ladies that companies like Avon and Revlon may give a lot of money to BC research/ raise money with walks and such out the front door, but the truth is with all the parabens in their products they are just conning us with their good nature into buying products with cancer causing agents in them.

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  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited October 2008

    Here's something that I've wondered about since I saw the  PAMPERS commercial narrated by Selma Hayak where they say "one pack of PAMPERS=one life saving vaccine". Ok, so I'm thinking that the manufacturers get their $$ from the retailers before the product even hits the shelves. Doesn't that mean that they have already "sold" whatever it is they are making the donation from once they have wholesaled the product to a retailer? Doesn't that mean that we could leave all the pink crap on the shelves and the donations would still happen as long as enough retailers stocked the right quantity of product?

    Am I making any sense?

    (((HUGS)))
    Diane

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  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited October 2008

    I forgot to mention the Foothills Komen Foundation here in NC sent a big basket of purse-sized hand lotion to my cancer center. Pink lid, pink ribbon, and pink printing on the bottle....contents of which were full of PARABENS! GRRRRRRR

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

    Although the paraben issue is controversial, I cannot help wondering IF this has contributed to so many young women being dx.   Of course there is no ONE single cause, or at least none found yet.  I started checking out the lotions, and cosmetics I have here and eeek - lots of odd junk in them.  Biotene toothpaste has sorbitol in it, for example.  

    Back to the pink theme - nothing offensive found yesterday but I did not do the grocery store... 

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited October 2008

    One thing I didn't mind: This weekend we had a family dinner at my brother's house. We were ostensably celebrating another brother's birthday, but they surprised me with a pink ribbon cake with one candle in it to honor my last rad treatment today.

    I'm not much of a cake person...I think I would rather have had the ice cream cake my brother got...but it was a very nice thought that was much appreciated. 

    Saw a small cardboard dsiplay in my grocery store for some "breast cancer" pink stuff. I looked high and low on the tags and display to see how much of the purchase was being donated and to whom. There was nothing!! 

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  • flyrzfan
    flyrzfan Member Posts: 557
    edited October 2008

    I only want to add: Thanks Felicia ~ couldn't have said it bettery myself.


    Karen, your point is understood. As I said earlier, childish - impulsive - and oh so sweet instant gratification on the insanity of it all.

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  • Margerie
    Margerie Member Posts: 526
    edited October 2008

    A friend of mine was selected as a 2008 spokeswoman for a winery that has developed a label dedicated to breast cancer and the owner is donating 10% of gross (not net) profits to breast cancer research.  I hope you can check out the Cleavage Creek website and click on the link to read the full story behind it. It is refreshing to see how they are going to use the funds- check it out.  I was happy not to see a pink ribbon anywhere!!

    (Oh, and I know drinking wine may or not be good for breast cancer "surthrivers", but in moderation it can be entirely wonderful IMHO)

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