help me explain not embracing the pink

I think that pink then vs pink now are two very different things. There was a time when is was not talked about etc and the pink ribbons were great at raising awareness and finding others that had been touched by the disease. It was about not feeling so alone and isolated with this dreaded thing that was somehow your fault.

Now it seems to have served its purpose and become so much more commercial. I like the color but not what is has become, not the meaning or feeling that comes with it. 

NatureGrrl,

I'm with you.  I actually like the color pink and have a lot of pink in my wardrobe but I really don't want all of the pink ribbons.  I've received a blanket; a magnetic ribbon for my car; 7 pins; a lanyard; a wristband; and a t-shirt.  I've done nothing with them, I was diagnosed in May and have had 4 surgeries including my double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction on 6/23/09.  I start chemo in September and am stressing about losing my hair (one of my best features has been my hair) and am not feeling like being a BC Activist right now.  I also am not sure why I feel this way but just this weekend, I ran into a family that knew nothing about my cancer and I so enjoyed that conversation - no discussion about my health - no stares at my now flat chest - no sympathetic looks - I was just me and I enjoyed putting the cancer aside for those few minutes.  Maybe that's why I'm not anxious to advertise?  Maybe when I get further into my treatment I'll feel differently?  Right now, I will continue to fund the BC Charities - the Walk; The Susan G Komen Foundation; Fox Chase Cancer Hospital but I want nothing on my person that advertises I have Breast Cancer. 

To answer your question, I haven't figured it out.  I just say thanks and stuff it all in a drawer.  Maybe I'll donate it somewhere?

Thanks for making me feel that I'm not alone with this issue.  Hoping that your having a great day!

Karen

Pink-What a crock of ...stuff. It's about companies wanting recognition for being 'do gooders'. You only hear about doctors performing surgeries on the needy when the doctors can be seen on TV. I'll make ya Famous! Instead of giving a BC survivor some stupid pink thing, they should just ask them "what can I do for you"? Cook a meal for them, offer to water their yard or mow their lawn. Give them a ride to the store. It's the simplest things that are so helpful.

am so impressed with the tatoo, meanans a ***of a lot more than a pink ribbon. my sister, God bless her, sends every new thing Earthworks comes out with; heat wraps,sox; etc. i use those THEYR helpful. she also sent a pink snugglie; but even withbc, im an animal print kind of girl.i say thank you, she's tring to support me in every way she ca.the $ or some of it, goes 2 susa komen, so, its my own decision, time whatever,. bc has taught me 2 "do my own thing" and still be grateful 2 those tring 2 help. i do have a pink leopard shirt i wear.that's just right...3jaysmom 

If you don't like pink, you definately shouldn't wear it.  People will understand.  Right now is your time.  Personally, I love pink.  lol, I'm almost embarassed about saying it seeing how strongly everyone feels.  As far as the marketing aspect, well if it helps raise money for research and raises awareness, I'm ok with that. 

I was originally diagnosed with DCIS, and was going to have a lumpectomy and radiation.  Unfortunately they found more, and the bad invasive kind, so now I will have a double mastectomy (a week from tomorrow).  I'm nore concerned with carrying around new boobs, and would prefer no one come to the hospital (except my hubby), but everyone wants to be in on it (so, I have to put my foot down too). 

 But, back to you!!  Wear what you want and no apologies. Good luck!!

Since 1998 when I found my lump, not one of my friends has given me one bc pink thing.  They have all supported me, encouraged me and cleaned my house for me and one male friend walked for me and gave me the t-shirt they gave him to wear in the walk.  I wasn't offically dx'd until 1999 but here comes the mets and still, no pink.  I did get many lace angels in different colors, some pink, due to a neighbor and dear friend who put me on one of her prayer lists - there are angels all over my house - not in mass but one hangs in every window and my truck and now will in my recently purchased RV.  I have gotten these throughout the years. 

I like pink and I wear pink - when I have my hair highlighted, it looks good with my color but none of it is bc related.  I have benefited from the pink in that the treatments for stage iv are now much kinder and effective than ever before.  They do raise money and I don't think that the stage iv look would do it as well as the pink.  However, I don't donate to the pink or do the walks - I keep it for my own self. 

What I find most disturbing is that the myth is believed that you can be cured from this disease.  I was told that at my 5 year checkup - I was a statistic, I had no recurrence in 5 years therefore, I could go on about my life and check in at 10 years for the full body workup again.  Of course, yearly mamo's and stuff.  There is no cure.  I now have bone mets.

I didn't ask people not to give me the pink stuff - my family and friends just know me well enough that I have no need to save the ta-ta's anymore so what do I REALLY want - green, as in money, thank you very much!  Of course, I have more tact than that but really folks, a pink bear or $30 to go buy a cool gadget that helps with the pain...THINK GREEN!  $$$$$

Add me to the list of BC-pink/pink marketing haters! Pretty much for all the reasons so many others have stated so eloquently. I especially agree with Raile's comments that the "raising awareness" thing is just a lame excuse for overdone marketing at this point.

I only own two solid-pink tops (both v-neck sweaters, ironically for the now-boobless me, LOL!) which I have had for years and wear a few times a year when the weather is right. They never represented BC to me before, nor do they now! They are simply two items of clothing that I bought because I liked the how the style and color looked on me... and that's what they'll remain. I will wear them occasionally just like I've always done.. because I feel like wearing that top that day, and for no other reason.

I would never ever buy, use, or wear a BC pink-ribbon or pink promo item though. Bleah!!!

Btw, I'm a Boomer and the whole pink BC thing doesn't in any way "resonate" with me. Quite the contrary. It's true we were very into "causes" but don't forget that we were also very against having causes/agendas continually shoved in our faces/down our throats too! Which is exactly what the BC marketing thing does.