I Happen to Like Pink Month

Linda--call me weird, but I like all the pink stuff too. If it helps one person in their fight against bc, then it's worth it.

I don't hate the pink stuff.  Pink is my favorite color (gasp!) but this year it's just annoying me some.  I run the Passionately Pink Day at our school.  It's a fundraiser for Susan G. Komen.  I use it was a soapbox to remind everyone to get mammos etc. You aren't alone

I have always loved pink, even when I was a little girl.  I think some of the 'pink haters' are missing the point of all the pink stuff.  It isn't just to raise money, it is to raise awareness.  It reminds me of the criticism that Jerry Lewis got when he had companies doing the same thing for MD.  He responded that we don't know which $10 or $100 donation will be the one that makes a difference, so any donation is important.  Yes, a lot of companies are making a profit misleading the public about their bc donations.  But that is why the saying 'buyer beware' is part of our shopping culture.  I agree that if looking at a display of pink ribbon stuff at a store makes one woman think more about bc detection, it is worth it.  And I have to say it is nice to know that it is no longer one of those diseases that is ignored or hidden.  That is the first step to make finding the cure possible.

You know I dont think my mother would have said the word breast in public.  And she would rather point than say it to my sister or me.  So breast awareness has come a full generation.  Men have always had terms for them but straight laced women like my mother would rather not mention any female problems north or south of the navel.  How many women died because they would not see a doctor because he would have to look and touch that unmentionable part of the body.  Now we are so aware and ready to jump into battle if the need arises.  And if one person buys something pink or gives someone something pink they are aware of the message pink sends - breast awareness, body awareness, self awareness.  Not bad for a little pink ribbon.

Shit, rereading all these comments, I look pretty cynical,  If you are all for it, enjoy the month.

 Anna

I don't hate all pink.  I detest!!!  the companies taking advantage of a "popular" disease for their own advantage.  I believe that the further we get from initial diagnosis, the more we object to this sort thing.

I was diagnosed Sept 28 and had never heard of Susan Koman, but got a letter requesting a donation on Oct.1.  I had never known that Oct was Breast Cancer Awareness month.  I just thought someone at the hospital had given my diagnosis out and I was being hit up for money,

I have to tell you, I am not at ALL sure that the month does much to bring awareness----most women figure it'll never happen to them(unless they have a family history) and I don't think pay much attention, except like a few of we surviviors here, think it is really overdone.

A very intelligent, educated, businesss owner actually told me that she wouldn't consider stopping Prempro because she could "only" get breast cancer. 

All the pink crap has turned women into consumers for a good cause----not smart women who are aware that we have to take responsibility for our own health care.  It makes bc look like a sweet little gal's problem and not a big thing at all.   When something is discussed to death (sorry), it looses it importance and fear----and we should all FEAR cancer.  It's a BIG thing and not at all  soft and fluffy.

JMHO

abbadoodles~

  You are my twin with those thoughts~  Except I don't like pink~  I tell my close friends, etc. but I will not display in town and work that I have BC.  I would never leave the house without make-up, wigs, etc. during chemo.  I wanted to be seen as anyeveryone else.   Lots of people have cancer of different forms and they don't "advertise"

 Also, I LOVE your  "Hey, I gave at the office" (I feel I gave along too at hospitals, chemo rooms, radiations sites, etc.)  CANCER we just keep giving...

Pink ribbons are good things in many ways, but the problem for me is that at least here in the US, they are literally everywhere. For me it's the same as violence in movies: too much of it is desensitizing. And right now - just like every October - everything is saturated in pink. I truly believe that most people (who haven't been personally touched by BC) picking up pink-labled products probably do so just to help the cause - in other words, to help someone else who might be diagnosed - as opposed to seeing a ribbon, worrying about their own breast health and scheduling a mammo. 

The other issue I have is the shear amount of $ raised this month. Does it really all go to BC orgs or to puff up the bottom line of companies like Dyson and the like? Not enough emphasis is placed on research to me, just on awareness via early detection, which has been touted as the "best" way to save lives for decades. We loose over 41,000 people each year to this crap, so perhaps our "best" isn't good enough. Progress is too slow IMHO. Find a damn cure already!

My son and I have walked in my area's Making Strides Against BC event for the past seven years (next weekend will mark our 8th) and I donate money to area orgs that help women in treatment pay their bills and get to doc visits. But I will not buy a pink cooler, pink chemical-laiden candies or vacuum cleaner just so 5% of what I spend can be donated to...what, exactly? Not knocking those of you who do, just not feeling warm and fuzzy with the pink assault, is all.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I feel like I am, as a BC survivor, being pimped every October and it makes me sick. 

I'm not a fan of pink, especially in October.

I, too, wonder where the $$ are going, really, other than the pockets of the corporations. I'm sure they sell tons of pink stuff in October, and ONLY 5% goes to "research"??? It sells funny, to my nose. I prefer my money go to a local Relay for Life or NBCC, for lobbying and advocacy.

I'm not against BC awareness. Not at all. But gimmicky stuff I hate. I no more feel a need to wear a pink ribbon on my shirt to show my support than I do wearing a flag pin to prove I love my country.

That said, if the pink tidal wave reminds just one woman to get that breast exam or mammogram that she's been putting off, then it has served a purpose.

But, the REAL awareness for breast cancer comes once we're diagnosed, or have a loved one diagnosed. Then we realize just how oblivious we really were. Well meaning, but oblivious.

 Anne

Pimped out----says it all, Felicia!

Well, I am two years out from treatment, and I just bought a little pink ribbon pin to wear on my shirt.  I don't know why I did though.  Is it because I saw so much pink stuff, I just had to buy something or does it go deeper than that?  When I wear it, it reminds me that I survived the whole ordeal and, hopefully, can make it through whatever else life throws at me.  I also wear it to remind those around me, my family and friends, that, yes, I went through hell, and I will never be the same person again.  I have always loved pink as a color.  I have noticed though that the amount of pink I have in my closet has dwindled, either subconsciously or maybe just because I have hit the big 5-0.  I think awareness is important because never in my wildest dreams, did I think that I had any risk for breast cancer.  With all that being said, we so desperately need a cure now for all cancer.  It is a hideous disease that needs to be stopped!

Otter, well said!

It's great that there is a "Month" dedicated to breast cancer, just as February is Heart month and April is Cancer month.  We've come a long way since my mother's diagnosis in 1967, and thanks to several BC patients in Cda and the U.S. who, years ago, made a stink, the monies going into bc research have increased phenomenally.

But, to emphasize Otter's point that we're a VERY LONG way from a cure -- how many of us even knew how many forms of bc there are?  How many knew about DCIS, LCIS, IBC, Paget's Disease?  How about the grades?  How about the ER+, PR+, Her+, or the triple neg?

Cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth, just as autoimmune diseases such as lupus, RA and some 100 others are caused by the immune system going haywire and killing good cells along with those that are harming us.

Scientists worldwide are working together to find out WHY these things happen.  Will they ever find the answer?  In all likelihood, they won't ever have the definitive answer, because cell "behaviour" is individual to each human being, dependent upon so many factors (biological, genetic, environmental etc.)

So scientists are concentrating on how to manage bad cell behaviour, to bring us into what they call remission, and what I like to call a return to reasonably good health!  But I don't consider that I will ever be cured of bc, only that I hopefully will be able to live out my lifespan as comfortably as someone who has never been diagnosed.

But speaking of "awareness" -- is there a woman alive who isn't aware of bc?  I want pink month to support research into more effective and long-lasting treatments, and I surely want companies who profit by pink month to actually support those thousands of scientists who really are working diligently and creatively to find those treatments.  Fie on corps that take advantage of our misfortune.

There, I've finished my rant.  Thanks for listening!

Linda

t

I was asked by  local gift shop to design a pink glass ribbon ornament for a BC fund-raiser this Sat. the 18th.Five dollars of the sale from every ornament, and 10% of total store sales will go to a local BC patient. The store owner has contacted the local Cancer Clinic (where I received tx) and they will pick the recipient.She also asked me to bring paintings, cards and Christmas ornaments that I make. So far it looks like a lot of people are excited about coming and about donating to the cause. It makes me happy that people are excited and working towards a cure for this beast.It may seem like everyone wants a piece of the pie but I truly think people are starting to get it. I think everyone knows at least one person that is or has been affected by the disease.Giving locally makes the giving from this fund-raiser very special. No thoughts of wondering if it's really going somewhere.

Just a little story....I brought in 5 watercolors to sell at the fund raiser for this Sat. A lady from out of town saw them a week early and wanted to purchase one. When the store owner said it was for BC fund-raiser on Sat. the lady said "I think I should  buy it because I am a BC survivor", so then the shop owner said " the artist is a survivor too", and the lady said"that's it now I HAVE to buy it".and off she went with it. Well, it touched her heart....and mine! End of story.

Artsee

My "Friends in Pink Helping Friends" Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Team has raised $2,915.00 so far.  Our walk is tomorrow and I've been told there will be about 4,000 walkers, 200 of whom are survivors.  The money raised by each ACS Strides walk stays in your local community to help patients and their families.  I'm glad that so many people care, and will proudly wear my pink team shirt, my pink socks, pink visor, and carry my pink water bottle.  Oh - and a pretty pink fan (it's still HOT in Orlando) I also have COPD, and so will also be carrying my portable oxygen in order to (hopefully) walk the complete 5K route.  Keep your fingers crossed for me, please.

Hugs,

Karen

ill nancy, my hubby got a tattoo on his arm last year - his one and only - of a pink ribbon and the words Sheila, my wife, my hero 2007 and when he shows it off at truck stops, people (truckers included) think that it is also cool that a big 6ft 3in trucker would get a pink ribbon tattoo to honor his wife. Next year he wants to put a big pink ribbon on the front of his semi in October.