Anyone else really really hate pink ribbons?

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  • SelenaWolf
    SelenaWolf Member Posts: 1,724
    edited March 2012
    O.M.G.

    Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!  I thought I was the only one in the universe raging against the "Pink Ribbon Tyranny".  And who the HELL thought a pink teddy bear would make a breast cancer diagnosis better?  Excuse me, but I'M NOT SIX YEARS OLD!!!!

    What a relief to find this thread.  I'm so sick of pink ribbons and pink socks, and pink teddy bears.  If one more person tells me that being positive will help me recover, I'm gonna, gonna... well, I don't know what I'm gonna do, but I'll think of something.  And the next time some IDIOT tries to tell me that my hair will grow in thicker and more beautiful than before, and that chemo will make my skin so clear and beautiful... ARGH!!!  Breast cancer as the "ultimate beauty makeover" is the LAST STRAW!!
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  • Charles_Pelkey
    Charles_Pelkey Member Posts: 182
    edited March 2012

    Oh man, it's even weirder when you're a guy with breast cancer. After my diagnosis, I was deluged with pink-ribboned crap.

    I did get some solace in remembering a comment from my mother-in-law when she had breast cancer a couple of years back:

    "If I see another @#$%ing pink ribbon, I am going to kill someone." Smile 

    I feel the same way about yellow wristbands and any other attempt to "brand" my cancer. 

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited March 2012

    No pink stuff for me!  If treatment and surgeries permit it, I will meet up with a friend in Atlanta to cheer on her team for their Walk.  That's about it.  Should I support BC causes, I will do it quietly from behind the scene.  I spent 15 years in the Army and Reserves, am so NOT a girl-girl!

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  • justagirl
    justagirl Member Posts: 730
    edited March 2012

    Yes, I wholly agree. 

    First, the colour pink used to make me think of joy, summer and little girl things.

    Now dealing with breast cancer for 2 years, breast cancer makes me think black, doom, gloom and the continual fight with myself as I get so depressed and negative and sad.

    So, if there has to be a ribbon, the colour should be black.

    And, if someone wants to do something for someone with breast cancer, as was said here, do their laundry, clean their house or cook a meal for them or drive their children to their activities.

    I had a nurse in my GP's office tell me when I stood at the reception desk with my scarf covering my bald head that it was really important to keep a positive attitude to heal myself.  Ha!  Behind the nurse's back the receptionist made a wonky face and after the nurse left the receptionist said 'like you aren't trying all you can do'.

    And my biggest complaint is that the day after I had my lumpectomy, in marches the breast cancer nurse who wants to measure me for a mastectomy bra, which is 'free' and gives me a 3 pound folder of information about breast cancer.  I didn't want any of it and sure wasn't ready, as at that stage I didn't even know the results from my lumpectomy.

    Most of all, I want to be known as me, my son's Mom, my husband's wife, and not labeled by this horrible disease.

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited March 2012

    I have always loved pink.  It's a good color for me and I like it. But now whenever I see pink, I see red.  I've been avoiding some of my favorite things simply because they now make me feel like a walking bill board for disease.

     I especially hate the damn ribbons though.  Not just pink, but yellow, rwb, and all of the rest, and I hate the companies that use this vile disease to market their products.  Vlassic, if yoy want to sell pickles sell pickles.  If you want to give money to research, great, do so, but don't prey on sick people to sell pickles. 

     

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  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited March 2012

    Add me to the list of pink ribbon haters and now I don't even like the color pink at all.  I used to love wearing pink because it flattered my complexion.  I will never buy clothes in that color again. Now, pink just makes me sad.

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited March 2012

    Elizabeth - I feel exactly the same way!

    I had SO many pink things in my closet - I even had pink purses, pink shoes, and pink glasses! LOVED the color on me!

    Then I was dx'd. Two weeks later I went to a Susan G Komen  "Race for the Cure" event. I was horrified.

    I looked around at the "sea of pink" that everyone told me would be so inspiring, and didn't feel that way at all.

    With all my pink accessories, I felt like the Pink Ribbon Poster Child. As October wore on, and the Pink Tsunami just got bigger and bigger, all my pink things went to the back of my closet.

    Just before my surgery, I found BCO. For the first time, I really discovered what "Inspiring" was. It was NOT pink cocktail napkins with pink high heels and pink ribbons on them!

    I've received so many lovely gifts from so many friends....all pink, or pink-ribbon-themed. I am touched that they thought of me. I am sad that they are unaware that breast cancer isn't cute.

    I believe in teachable moments.

    As we get closer to Pinktober 2012, I will be doing my best to suggest other ways in which we can be aware of the need for breast cancer prevention, treatment, and cure, and other ways we can acknowledge women - and men - who have been diagnosed. There is just no way to understand what someone with BC is going through unless you have been there.

    And to make a profit off a pink-ribbon product that results in absolutely no donation to breast cancer research is just criminal, IMO.

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  • justagirl
    justagirl Member Posts: 730
    edited March 2012

    6 months after my initial diagnosis, it was Pinktober and my then 16 year old son got really upset at all the advertisements on the television.  I knew it upset me, as watching tv for me is supposed to be for relaxation and enjoyment, not to have a reminder that I have breast cancer flashed in my face .  My pain was elevated by the negative effect all this commercialization had on my son.  Even my 16 year old son said wearing a pink ribbon or a pink bracelet does nothing for someone dealing with breast cancer..........and he is right.  Directly it does nothing.  Some people have actually asked me why I don't wear a pink bracelet and oh my, how I feel and think, and my aching bones and silicone breasts are enough of a reminder of my tango with breast cancer!

    Like one of you before me here said, if you want to donate money for BC, just do it, don't get dolled up in pink or wear a pink bra on the outside of your clothes and have a party to walk 5K.

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  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited March 2012

    I'm the same way with the pink clothing - I used to have a couple of pink tops and now only wear them when I am staying in for the day - I feel like they are labels - pink makes me sad too.

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  • Infobabe
    Infobabe Member Posts: 1,083
    edited May 2012

    I agree.  I don't want to be a victim or a survivor.  I told my husband, I want people to think I am great, not diseased.

    I never paid much attention to Komen for the Cure until they politicized it trying to do a number on Planned Parenthood.  Then I thought, what does Komen do anyway?  From what I can see, they collect money, pay themselves big salaries and dole out what is left over to who ever.  If you want to help research, donate directly and donate to Planned Parenthood who help women get the treatment they need.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited May 2012

    I HATE PINK! I have not owned or worn anything pimk since I was old enough to pick my own clothes - except in Oct since DX. Actually my pink clothes consist of a fleece pullover and a fleece poncho that have pink ribbons on then. I do wear them a fair bit in Oct as I feel if I can get someone to think or ask questions (which some do) - that's great. If someone doesn't want to see it - don't look. Oh yeah I do have a couple of 'Tough Enough To Wear Pink' Tshirts (the proceedsof these go to the CCI I deal with) as do Hubby, Son and his GF. I can't think of anyone who has given me anything pink because they know I hate and always have hated the color for itself alone. Hubby and Son wear 'Tough Enough To Wear Pink' wristbands all the time - their choice, I never asked them to. Actually, they have met several, both men and women who asked them questions. Some they have given the CCI number to, some the local ACS number to, some their cell number to and some my number to. I have met some very nice women and men that I wouldn't have if they hadn't been wearing their pink wristbands.



    (OT - I wear an OD cammy wristband that says "She Served Too". How Women Veterans are thought of and treated is very near and dear to my heart.)



    I do dislike the hoopla and those who use pink ribbons for personal income BUT if one person is helped by seeing it then that's a lot more important and someone selfishly enriching themselves. They will ultimately meet their Higher Power and have to deal with/explain to Them.

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  • my2boys
    my2boys Member Posts: 339
    edited May 2012

    I hate the pink ribbons!!!  Whenever someone gives me a pink ribbon, bracelet, pin, tote bag, book, teddy bear, ANYTHING...I promptly throw it in the garbage as soon as I get home....just hate it to death~~~~

    Mother of one of the boys on my sons soccer team had breast cancer a few years ago.  She makes the little boy wear pink soccer socks instead of his uniform socks.......it turns my stomach.

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  • chemoangel
    chemoangel Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2012

    No...pink became my favorite color when I was diagnosed, during, and even after treatment. I wear pink because it empowers me. I wear pink for all other suffering through breast cancer, I even had a pink ribbon party for my Birthday...:) because that's when I had my surgery..the day before my Birthday. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2012

    I don't like them at all. However I have a 12 year old daughter who takes great comfort in anything to do with the pink ribbon. She proudly bought a pink finger bun from Bakers Delight and filled in my full name on the 'pink lady' that she subsequently hung on the wall of the bakery - then facebooked a photo and tagged me in it ! I cringe but if it helps her be more comfortable with the situation then that's OK with me . . . however I take a wide berth of anyone selling pink ribbon stuff at the shopping centre.

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  • kyliet
    kyliet Member Posts: 687
    edited August 2012

    I am sick of pink too. It is a bit like the food that made me sick during chemo, I never want to see it again. So of course I tried to dye my hair when it started to grow - and it turned pink. Not happy.

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited August 2012

    Aghhh count me in too as a pink hater.



    Had a good friend start raising money for a upcoming 60mile 3 day komen walk before i was dx. I seriously think she has dropped off face of earth. How does displaying a save the tatas on your car even help?

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