As we approach the month of Pinktober (with 30 days advance notice), it is time for all of us to raise our hands and pledge the following. Please join in.
Raise your right hand and repeat after me:
I (state your name [and not the Animal House version]) promise that during the month of Pinktober, formerly known as October, I will not arbitrarily purchase pink items or donate to pink causes with out first researching how much actually goes to breast cancer research or screening services.
I will first research them using services such as Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) to ensure they are legitimate.
I also promise that I will not support pinkification efforts to paint things pink, light up buildings in pink, or other such activities.
Thank you.
We need to focus our efforts on research and screening services for under served populations. We do not need any more awareness. The American public is plenty aware of breast cancer at this point.
Between now and then September is Prostate Cancer, Childhood Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, Leukemia and Lymphoma, and Ovarian Cancer month. It also contains the Jewish holy days of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Those all seem to be overshadowed by the looming Pinkification of October.
In October, there are other lovely holidays to support. Halloween for one - the one where we dress in costume and eat lots of candy, never mind Columbus Day and a host of other minor celebrations.
November includes many events including Veterans Day and Thanksgiving but it in recent years the squabbling that has resulted from Pinktober overwhelms everything until Thanksgiving. It also includes the great American Smokeout, Lung Cancer Awarness and Pancreatic Cancer awareness month.
What I am trying to say is stop supporting on pinkification and focus on research and screening for underserved populations.
Showing posts with label pinkification. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pinkification. Show all posts
Time for a change
Through the past forty years, there have been changes in the way we view and treat breast cancer. It started with the 'lets cut out as much as we possibly can'. Radical mastectomies were carried out regularly, permanently disfiguring patients - both emotionally and physically. And leaving them with life long health problems of lymphedema and more.
Gradually, times changed and focused more on detection with the advent of mammograms. My original cancer book printed about 1980, says that they were just beginning to recommend regular mammograms as screening for breast cancer. After this the Komen foundation began to promote early screening which some how devolved into the pink ribbons, pinkification, sisterhood and giant pink wave that overtakes the world every October.
The Komen foundation has managed to give themselves several black eyes in recent years which are proving their downfall. However their efforts, along with that of many other, have greatly helped destigmatize the disease, allowing people to shout the word cancer instead of whisper it in corners.
But as Karuna Jagger, (www.twitter.com/karunajagger) Executive Director of Breast Cancer Action, points out, its time for a change from this pink world to one where we focus on what is really important:
"As the nation's attention focuses on breast cancer during Pinktober, let's stop selling women a false narrative about screening, and instead advocate for more effective treatments, less treatment when possible, and fewer breast cancer diagnoses in the first place. It's time we change the breast cancer narrative once again."
We do not need all the pink to focus on these efforts.
Gradually, times changed and focused more on detection with the advent of mammograms. My original cancer book printed about 1980, says that they were just beginning to recommend regular mammograms as screening for breast cancer. After this the Komen foundation began to promote early screening which some how devolved into the pink ribbons, pinkification, sisterhood and giant pink wave that overtakes the world every October.
The Komen foundation has managed to give themselves several black eyes in recent years which are proving their downfall. However their efforts, along with that of many other, have greatly helped destigmatize the disease, allowing people to shout the word cancer instead of whisper it in corners.
But as Karuna Jagger, (www.twitter.com/karunajagger) Executive Director of Breast Cancer Action, points out, its time for a change from this pink world to one where we focus on what is really important:
"As the nation's attention focuses on breast cancer during Pinktober, let's stop selling women a false narrative about screening, and instead advocate for more effective treatments, less treatment when possible, and fewer breast cancer diagnoses in the first place. It's time we change the breast cancer narrative once again."
We do not need all the pink to focus on these efforts.
Recovering credibility
Earlier this year Komen announced that they have basically cut in half the number of three day walks they will offer in 2014 - essentially saying they are not doing as well as an organization.
Yesterday they announced they have a new CEO, Dr. Judith A. Salerno, who has a background in medicine as well as in running non profits. I am not sure what Nancy Brinker's background was other than promising her sister to paint the world pink and earn lots of money from donors. Ms Brinker will still be around as Founder and Chair of Global Strategy.
I think the biggest problem Dr Salerno faces is regaining the credibility of the organization by the general public. I know many who have stopped donating to Komen based on the Planned Parenthood flap and the revelation that very little of their money goes to research and the rest goes to awareness, events, and screening and other programs. I no longer volunteer for them - I did for a couple of years and stopped well before the big hoohah last year.
She faces a huge job, one that I don't envy.
Yesterday they announced they have a new CEO, Dr. Judith A. Salerno, who has a background in medicine as well as in running non profits. I am not sure what Nancy Brinker's background was other than promising her sister to paint the world pink and earn lots of money from donors. Ms Brinker will still be around as Founder and Chair of Global Strategy.
I think the biggest problem Dr Salerno faces is regaining the credibility of the organization by the general public. I know many who have stopped donating to Komen based on the Planned Parenthood flap and the revelation that very little of their money goes to research and the rest goes to awareness, events, and screening and other programs. I no longer volunteer for them - I did for a couple of years and stopped well before the big hoohah last year.
She faces a huge job, one that I don't envy.
The big pink wall
Whoop-de-doo, Ford Motors just announced its Warriors in Pink 2013 program. Now you must get excited. You can buy pink appaarel from their program and a portion of the sale of each garment, $5-$20, goes to one of four charities and you get to choose which. Komen, Young Survivors Coalition. Dr Susan Love Research Foundation or the Pink Fund. Isn't this just so great. You get to buy pink gear, I must need some more! I'll check my closet and get on line now.
This is just like Pinktober again isn't it? While I admire the Ford Motor company for thinking right, they could have done it without the pink.
A recent study points out that metastatic breast cancer patients often feel disenfranchised with the pretty pink ribbon ideology. The pink mentality is positive and shows all these happy women, dressed from head to toe in pink, saying pink, pink, pink. They form little clans for each woman with breast cancer and applaud each year out from treatment or each anniversary of their passing.
I think when breast cancer is happy - they are in treatment, they are so brave when they shaved their head, their surgery went well - its all pink and pretty.
But when the diagnosis and prognosis are not so good, the big pink wall goes up to protect the pink dressed supporters from the bad news. Its not as pretty picture any more. The pink people don't want to hang out with someone who isn't rah rah breast cancer any more. They want to move on to someone who is happy and smiling.
The study did also say that 45% of the metastatic patients developed their own circle to share information to help others. But still the metastatic patient loses the original support they had when they need it most. Support does not have to be pink but just needs to be.
This is just like Pinktober again isn't it? While I admire the Ford Motor company for thinking right, they could have done it without the pink.
A recent study points out that metastatic breast cancer patients often feel disenfranchised with the pretty pink ribbon ideology. The pink mentality is positive and shows all these happy women, dressed from head to toe in pink, saying pink, pink, pink. They form little clans for each woman with breast cancer and applaud each year out from treatment or each anniversary of their passing.
I think when breast cancer is happy - they are in treatment, they are so brave when they shaved their head, their surgery went well - its all pink and pretty.
But when the diagnosis and prognosis are not so good, the big pink wall goes up to protect the pink dressed supporters from the bad news. Its not as pretty picture any more. The pink people don't want to hang out with someone who isn't rah rah breast cancer any more. They want to move on to someone who is happy and smiling.
The study did also say that 45% of the metastatic patients developed their own circle to share information to help others. But still the metastatic patient loses the original support they had when they need it most. Support does not have to be pink but just needs to be.
Komen-diculousity of course!
Today, MLB has decided to allow players to wear and use pink items to promote breast cancer awareness. I am not a big fan of sports teams wearing pink at all. But this one drives me crazy.
There are pink bats made by Louisville Slugger, and hats and gloves and pads and all sorts of things so the manly guys who play baseball can be pinkified for a day. After the day, the pink items will be raffled off with the benefits going to charity.
Not that this is bad enough but Nick Markakis of the Baltimore Orioles and Trevor Plouffe of the Minnesota Twins had special bats made by MaxBat because their mothers had breast cancer. These bats are back with a pink logo of the manufacturer. They made this special effort but can't use the bats.
The rules about this are a bit fussy
"Spokesmen for both MLB and Louisville Slugger said players are allowed to use pink bats or partially pink bats by any manufacturer on Sunday so long as that company donated to the Komen fund. There also is another stipulation.
According to an MLB-wide memo that went out to all teams on April 3, the non-Louisville bats could not include “ribbons, corporate logos, distinguishing marks or names of charities.” So Markakis’ bat, for instance, would be permissible if it did not have the MaxBat logo in pink. If the label was pink but did not include a rival company’s name, it would be fine for Sunday."
So the secret is out: Komen spun their spidery web around Major League Baseball and are getting all this money and not allowing people to do what they want. They want it all.
Ridiculous is the only word!
There are pink bats made by Louisville Slugger, and hats and gloves and pads and all sorts of things so the manly guys who play baseball can be pinkified for a day. After the day, the pink items will be raffled off with the benefits going to charity.
Not that this is bad enough but Nick Markakis of the Baltimore Orioles and Trevor Plouffe of the Minnesota Twins had special bats made by MaxBat because their mothers had breast cancer. These bats are back with a pink logo of the manufacturer. They made this special effort but can't use the bats.
The rules about this are a bit fussy
"Spokesmen for both MLB and Louisville Slugger said players are allowed to use pink bats or partially pink bats by any manufacturer on Sunday so long as that company donated to the Komen fund. There also is another stipulation.
According to an MLB-wide memo that went out to all teams on April 3, the non-Louisville bats could not include “ribbons, corporate logos, distinguishing marks or names of charities.” So Markakis’ bat, for instance, would be permissible if it did not have the MaxBat logo in pink. If the label was pink but did not include a rival company’s name, it would be fine for Sunday."
So the secret is out: Komen spun their spidery web around Major League Baseball and are getting all this money and not allowing people to do what they want. They want it all.
Ridiculous is the only word!
What is so 'feel good' about cancer?
I'm working on this one. I haven't come up with much. There was a recent article in the New York Times about our feel good, pinkification war on breast cancer that has never done much for me.
There is also that year 2020 breast cancer deadline which I find just stupid. Seriously in 7 years there will be a cure? We have come a fair distance in the past seven years but that doesn't seem to have us in a position to be done in the next 7. Some pretty little blue bird of happiness will have to drop something off unexpectedly that will do the trick, get through FDA testing and all that, and then drug companies will still gouge the patients for a $10,000 a year for the medication (because of all the research they had to do).
I saw a video recently about cancer researchers dancing - even in bowties - because of how happy their research makes them.
There was an article in the local paper on a local woman who was a cancer researcher and how she felt about contributing to solving cancer.
I am glad they all like their jobs but it doesn't do much for me in the end. Maybe I'm cynical or maybe I'm just tired and cranky.
There is also that year 2020 breast cancer deadline which I find just stupid. Seriously in 7 years there will be a cure? We have come a fair distance in the past seven years but that doesn't seem to have us in a position to be done in the next 7. Some pretty little blue bird of happiness will have to drop something off unexpectedly that will do the trick, get through FDA testing and all that, and then drug companies will still gouge the patients for a $10,000 a year for the medication (because of all the research they had to do).
I saw a video recently about cancer researchers dancing - even in bowties - because of how happy their research makes them.
There was an article in the local paper on a local woman who was a cancer researcher and how she felt about contributing to solving cancer.
I am glad they all like their jobs but it doesn't do much for me in the end. Maybe I'm cynical or maybe I'm just tired and cranky.
I never understood this
Clearly its pinkification but I do not understand the commercials for the breast cancer walks. The one where the woman is saying "Three days of walking to give a breast cancer patient a lifetime". What? I mean there is a significant disconnect here. This commercial just ran and it irritates me to no end every time I hear that woman saying the same thing.
Someone walking for days does nothing for me. How does the walk or anyone's walking give a breast cancer patient a lifetime? Its not the walk that Komen or Avon or who ever is holding it cares about, its the money they raise.
They require the walkers to raise anywhere between $1000 - $3000 or more each and require them to provide a credit card number that they can charge the amount not raised. They pressure these walkers, or runners, or riders or whatever to raise the money. How does that pressure help any cancer patient?
No help to me. My sister and a friend did the breast cancer walk a few years ago. I have friends that do the walks annually and enjoy the participation and the giving back to the community. More power to them. It can be a worthy effort but you can't tell me that walking/running/riding gives a cancer patient anything.
The effort results in funds raised for awareness (as if we need more pink) and research (we hope).
Someone walking for days does nothing for me. How does the walk or anyone's walking give a breast cancer patient a lifetime? Its not the walk that Komen or Avon or who ever is holding it cares about, its the money they raise.
They require the walkers to raise anywhere between $1000 - $3000 or more each and require them to provide a credit card number that they can charge the amount not raised. They pressure these walkers, or runners, or riders or whatever to raise the money. How does that pressure help any cancer patient?
No help to me. My sister and a friend did the breast cancer walk a few years ago. I have friends that do the walks annually and enjoy the participation and the giving back to the community. More power to them. It can be a worthy effort but you can't tell me that walking/running/riding gives a cancer patient anything.
The effort results in funds raised for awareness (as if we need more pink) and research (we hope).
Outrage against the pink machine
I finally watched Pink Ribbons Inc - a Canadian made documentary about breast cancer as the poster child of cause related marketing. (My apologies to AnneMarie over at Chemobrain Fog for taking so long to get to it but now I will pass it along to others.) My single thought on the film:
- how can they 'use' such a nasty disease to their benefit? The 'they' here are corporations who claim they are doing good but really are just using it are a marketing promotion. Here are a few quotes that stuck with me:
- one woman with stage IV breast cancer said there is 'no integrity' in this pinkification on where the dollars go. Companies make the money but how much really goes to the cure, who oversees the research to make sure they are a group effort in working towards something real instead of just dabbling at it in different parts of the world.
- Nancy Brinker really got me with this one. She said "until there is a cure, there is not enough pink." Oh, please. You just like wearing pink suits with yourdebutante Junior League hair style. We aren't talking about a paint color here. Its a real disease and you can't sugarcoat with some pink and make it cute. By focusing on the color pink you are ignoring the impact of the disease on women's and their families' lives. There is nothing pretty and pink about breast cancer.
I do like the advice that if you have breast cancer you should do something besides worry. Trust me I know this one well. Sitting around and stewing about your health - one ailment or 1000 ailments, does not help you at all. Going for a walk or a run to get in shape will help distract you and might even help your health and if the goal of a pinkified event will help you is fine if it works for you. But you could just send in a check and go for a daily walk with a friend or two and not be part of the pink machine.
My personal goal now is to avoid the pink machine as much as possible in my life.
Find a copy of Pink Ribbons Inc. You can buy it at Amazon now. You might even be able to take it out of your library. Have some friends over and be prepared to be outraged.
OUTRAGE
- how can they 'use' such a nasty disease to their benefit? The 'they' here are corporations who claim they are doing good but really are just using it are a marketing promotion. Here are a few quotes that stuck with me:
- one woman with stage IV breast cancer said there is 'no integrity' in this pinkification on where the dollars go. Companies make the money but how much really goes to the cure, who oversees the research to make sure they are a group effort in working towards something real instead of just dabbling at it in different parts of the world.
- Nancy Brinker really got me with this one. She said "until there is a cure, there is not enough pink." Oh, please. You just like wearing pink suits with your
I do like the advice that if you have breast cancer you should do something besides worry. Trust me I know this one well. Sitting around and stewing about your health - one ailment or 1000 ailments, does not help you at all. Going for a walk or a run to get in shape will help distract you and might even help your health and if the goal of a pinkified event will help you is fine if it works for you. But you could just send in a check and go for a daily walk with a friend or two and not be part of the pink machine.
My personal goal now is to avoid the pink machine as much as possible in my life.
Find a copy of Pink Ribbons Inc. You can buy it at Amazon now. You might even be able to take it out of your library. Have some friends over and be prepared to be outraged.
The Perils of Pink
I finally found an article which explains the perils of pinkification better than any attempt I have ever made. You can read the whole thing here or you can read my cliff notes version below.
“The biggest misconception people have is that the proceeds from a product or fundraising event are directly contributed to the cause, or toward progress in ending the breast cancer epidemic, and that’s an assumption which may not be true,” said Gayle Sulik, author of “Pink Ribbon Blues: How Breast Cancer Culture Undermines Women’s Health.” Whether it’s a entering a walk-a-thon or buying a dusky-rose pair of sneakers, Sulik recommended reading the fine print. “If there are not specifics, if it’s a general, ‘All profits go to support the fight against breast cancer,’ that’s a red flag,” she cautioned.
Here are three product examples:
"The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, for example, uses less than nine cents per dollar raised on fundraising and administrative expenses, compared to the United Breast Cancer Foundation, which spends a whopping 72 cents per dollar before beneficiaries see any of that money. Watchdogs like CharityNavigator.org can help you compare charities to see where your money is going."
The next consideration is there a cap on the amount that goes to the charity - either an end date or a total amount:
When you find a product that supports the cause transparently — and there are plenty out there — try to find out whether there’s a cap on the donation, meaning the donation ends once a certain amount has been met. If the promotion mentions a specific time period and you buy the product after the cut-off date, the would-be donation may go straight to the company, so check for a time limit.
Some tips for where to donate your money are:
“The biggest misconception people have is that the proceeds from a product or fundraising event are directly contributed to the cause, or toward progress in ending the breast cancer epidemic, and that’s an assumption which may not be true,” said Gayle Sulik, author of “Pink Ribbon Blues: How Breast Cancer Culture Undermines Women’s Health.” Whether it’s a entering a walk-a-thon or buying a dusky-rose pair of sneakers, Sulik recommended reading the fine print. “If there are not specifics, if it’s a general, ‘All profits go to support the fight against breast cancer,’ that’s a red flag,” she cautioned.
Here are three product examples:
- Hershey's Kisses for the Cure Pink Ribbon Music Box, retail price $49.99 has a major selling point that portion of the proceeds to be donated to help fight breast cancer. That amount might be a $1.00 and the authors could not find out what charity the money was going to. Recommendation - skip it.
- Gaiam Ink Ribbon Yoga Mat, retail price $21.98. $1 goes to charity.
- "Andee" Breast Cancer Watch from Coach, retail price $258, $20 goes to charity.
"The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, for example, uses less than nine cents per dollar raised on fundraising and administrative expenses, compared to the United Breast Cancer Foundation, which spends a whopping 72 cents per dollar before beneficiaries see any of that money. Watchdogs like CharityNavigator.org can help you compare charities to see where your money is going."
The next consideration is there a cap on the amount that goes to the charity - either an end date or a total amount:
When you find a product that supports the cause transparently — and there are plenty out there — try to find out whether there’s a cap on the donation, meaning the donation ends once a certain amount has been met. If the promotion mentions a specific time period and you buy the product after the cut-off date, the would-be donation may go straight to the company, so check for a time limit.
Some tips for where to donate your money are:
- The smaller local charities who are helping people you know in your community.
- Breast Cancer Research Foundation
- MD Anderson
- Johns Hopkins Avon Breast Center
- Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation
- Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Pink transparency needed
Consumers are becoming skeptical about the pinkification of products. There was a research study done - marketing not medical - titled "Consumers Question Intent and Impact of Breast Cancer Cause Marketing". It was done as part of Cone Research's Trend Tracker Series.
Here are a few tidbits from it:
"Although three-quarters (74%) of Americans state they are more likely to purchase a breast cancer-related product or service during October over others, with price and quality being equal, they are becoming desensitized and increasingly skeptical.
"2012 Breast Cancer Cause Marketing TrendsCone Communications’ has identified five leading trends from the breast cancer cause marketing efforts this October, including:
So perhaps the average consumer is over pinkified as well.
Here are a few tidbits from it:
"Although three-quarters (74%) of Americans state they are more likely to purchase a breast cancer-related product or service during October over others, with price and quality being equal, they are becoming desensitized and increasingly skeptical.
- 77 percent of consumers think some companies support the breast cancer cause solely for corporate gain
- 68 percent say very few breast cancer cause promotions stand out to them, given the large number of programs in the marketplace
- 30 percent do not know whether their purchases actually benefit the cause"
"2012 Breast Cancer Cause Marketing TrendsCone Communications’ has identified five leading trends from the breast cancer cause marketing efforts this October, including:
- Diversifying nonprofit partners: No longer do one or two large nonprofits rule the breast cancer space in October. As the breast cancer cause undergoes increased scrutiny, brands are turning to distinct partners for a unique approach and impact. Nonprofits shining through include: Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Young Survival Coalition, among other niche organizations.
- Putting a face on the issue: Whether featuring real-world cancer survivors as campaign models, as in Ford’s Warriors in Pink “Models of Courage,” or naming products after breast cancer victims, such as Caribou Coffee’s “Amy’s Blend,” brands are connecting with consumers through true-life stories, quite literally putting the faces of breast cancer, not the brand, front and center.
- Shifting from the grocery aisle to the beauty aisle: “Pink” once seemed centralized to food and beverage products, but today the fashion and beauty industry is taking center-stage. From cosmetics, to jewelry, to apparel, the bulk of this year’s campaigns are coming from the beauty world.
- Going beyond donations: Some brands, like Avon and Novartis, are providing more than just dollars toward the cause – they are creating opportunities for people affected by breast cancer to connect to critical emotional support through online communities and social networking.
- Curating collections: Companies such as Sephora and Macy’s are offering carefully selected “suites” of products in support of breast cancer, giving consumers a wider selection of items to purchase and maximizing opportunities to capture support.
Metastatic cancer
Ahem, let's not forget those with metastatic cancer as Pinktober does. Tomorrow, October 13, is the designated pink metastatic cancer day. Why only one day?
Metastatic cancer of any kind is the 'BAD' kind. The kind that is whispered about. It doesn't get awareness, pinkification, walks, cheeriness, and all that.
Metastatic cancer is what really needs a cure. Its is the kind of cancer that has started to move around your body, affecting organs, bone, and even brain.
Right now with metastatic cancer you are in a holding pattern for life. Actually, for your life.
The cheeriness that comes along with pinkificiation is a slap in the face to women with stage IV breast cancer. What are the words that pinkification is supposed to identify - prevention, cure, survivorship, awareness? There is no cure for metastatic cancer. There is no survivorship involved - there is no way out. There is no awareness of metastatic cancer.
Metastatic cancer of any kind is the 'BAD' kind. The kind that is whispered about. It doesn't get awareness, pinkification, walks, cheeriness, and all that.
Metastatic cancer is what really needs a cure. Its is the kind of cancer that has started to move around your body, affecting organs, bone, and even brain.
Right now with metastatic cancer you are in a holding pattern for life. Actually, for your life.
The cheeriness that comes along with pinkificiation is a slap in the face to women with stage IV breast cancer. What are the words that pinkification is supposed to identify - prevention, cure, survivorship, awareness? There is no cure for metastatic cancer. There is no survivorship involved - there is no way out. There is no awareness of metastatic cancer.
A pink-free zone
As I blogged a few weeks ago, my blog is a pink free zone. But people do not understand this and keep posting comments with links to pinkified things. While I realize some women really like the pinkification and feel loved by all of it, I do not.
First of all, there is no need to paint everything pink for one month for awareness of something that we are aware of. It often looks really stupid.
Second of all, most of the purchases are a total rip off. A tiny portion of the money you spend ends up at your cause. Send a check instead.
Third of all, breast cancer isn't a one month event. It takes over your life forever. Get real here.
So if you are such a fan of the pink stuff, go post links on someone else's blog who likes pink.
I have opinions. Tomorrow I'll blog about my opinion on the S-word.
First of all, there is no need to paint everything pink for one month for awareness of something that we are aware of. It often looks really stupid.
Second of all, most of the purchases are a total rip off. A tiny portion of the money you spend ends up at your cause. Send a check instead.
Third of all, breast cancer isn't a one month event. It takes over your life forever. Get real here.
So if you are such a fan of the pink stuff, go post links on someone else's blog who likes pink.
I have opinions. Tomorrow I'll blog about my opinion on the S-word.
Tis the season
So during Pinktober, I pledge:
- I will not purchase anything pink
- I will not donate to anything pink
- I will not raise any awareness for breast cancer
A product may sell for $20 and a portion of the manufacturer's profits go to breast cancer research. So the whole sale price is $10. The manufacturing costs are $7 which leaves $3 in profit and if 10% is donated, that is $0.30. You are better off sending the $20 directly to an established non profit.
And never mind pink lights on building, pink sports teams, pink garbage cans, pink fried chicken buckets, pink hats, and more.
As far as Electionovember, I pledge:
- I will vote on election day
- I will not dominate conversations with political rants
- I will not allow myself to be subject to anyone else's political rants
- I will make up my own mind on my votes
I think all politicians should be required to talk about their stance on issues and not be allowed to bash the other one. I mean they should be free to say things like 'my opponent disagrees with my position but I believe it is correct because...' but they should not be allowed to say things like 'my opponent is a liar and will contribute to the end of the world because they are wrong about everything'.
What if politicians had to take lie detector tests? Would that help?
In the meantime, feel free to join me in an unpinked and politic-free season.
More Komen hoop-lah
Komen for the Cure has announced that their founder and president, Nancy Brinker, and another key executive are stepping down. Its about time. While I laud Komen for what they have done over the years to raise awareness for breast cancer. I do not appreciate the pinkification, the ensuing frivolization of breast cancer with the collateral save the ta-tas and other silly names, and all the funds spent on legal defense of 'for the cure' and bad PR agencies.
I hope this leads to change in the organization where perhaps they can return to the original roots of raising money for research. This is a good idea. But it can be done with more seriousness and less pink.
By pinkifying everything and making breast cancer 'fun' and 'cute', creating legions of teams to save the ta-tas or jugs or second base or whatever they want to call them. Why do we allow people to use these terms to describe women's anatomy? Would you let your child use those terms? Probably not as they are slang and derogatory.
Breast cancer is a serious disease and we must not let us paint it pink and pretend its not.
I hope this leads to change in the organization where perhaps they can return to the original roots of raising money for research. This is a good idea. But it can be done with more seriousness and less pink.
By pinkifying everything and making breast cancer 'fun' and 'cute', creating legions of teams to save the ta-tas or jugs or second base or whatever they want to call them. Why do we allow people to use these terms to describe women's anatomy? Would you let your child use those terms? Probably not as they are slang and derogatory.
Breast cancer is a serious disease and we must not let us paint it pink and pretend its not.
The ugly side of pinkification exposed
Finally the film, Pink Ribbons Inc, is opening in the US. I blogged about this Canadian made film earlier this year. But now that it is out, there are more reviews available which gives a better idea of its focus.
Forbes.com has reviewed the film and provides these insights.
"Patients with various stages of breast cancer, public health advocates and researchers raise three important points:
No. 1: “Pink ribbon” marches, marathons and events (illuminating the Empire State Building in pink to create breast cancer awareness, for example) not only waste resources, they mislead public opinion about what’s necessary to treat the disease.
No. 2: Financial benefits to research efforts from “cause marketing” (in which brands such as Yoplait and Ford declare themselves “pink”) are minimal, as is the gain from manufacture and marketing of pink merchandise.
No. 3: The pink industry’s heavy use of war imagery (describing “battle” against breast cancer, for example) is misleading and harmful to the physical and psychological well-being of those whose cure–and lives–depend on effective medicine, not metaphor."
The LA Times makes these comments:
"Even after massive fundraising efforts ($1.9 billion in the last 30 years from Susan G. Komen for the Cure alone), a woman's lifetime odds of contracting the disease have narrowed from 1 in 22 in 1940 to 1 in 8 today. Little of that money has made its way into research into causes, notably environmental factors like contaminants from plastics or livestock treated with hormones, the film argues.
Instead the push has been for early detection and developing a cure—two areas that benefit pharmaceutical companies but not necessarily patients, a mere 20% — 30% of whom come from high-risk groups. You can't cure what you don't understand is one of the film's sobering messages."
NPR also states:
"As one woman observes, describing the treatment of cancer as a "fight" or a "battle" suggests that the disease is always beatable if patients make a heroic effort. The implication is that people who die "weren't trying very hard.""
[Anyone who tries to tell a woman with breast cancer that she isn't trying very hard needs is pretty damn stupid.]
"The disconnect between research and results is one of Pink Ribbons, Inc.'s keenest points. On-screen commentators contend that breast-cancer research is poorly coordinated and badly focused. Fewer than 30 percent of patients have a genetic proclivity for the illness, which indicates that most cases stem from environmental causes — yet relatively little attention is paid to prevention, or to chemicals that mimic estrogen and disrupt the human endocrine system."
A very thought provoking documentary on the ugly side of pinkification. Yes the film gives opportunities to for Komen and other non profits to offer their side but I think these messages are clear. Pink isn't helping. So please go watch the documentary if you can and learn more. If you wish to wear pink ribbons, just be sure to understand what the pink portion is going to and who or what it benefits.
My only problem with this film is that the closest it is showing to me is about 60 miles away - on the very tip of Cape Cod - which isn't very convenient in the summer.
Forbes.com has reviewed the film and provides these insights.
"Patients with various stages of breast cancer, public health advocates and researchers raise three important points:
No. 1: “Pink ribbon” marches, marathons and events (illuminating the Empire State Building in pink to create breast cancer awareness, for example) not only waste resources, they mislead public opinion about what’s necessary to treat the disease.
No. 2: Financial benefits to research efforts from “cause marketing” (in which brands such as Yoplait and Ford declare themselves “pink”) are minimal, as is the gain from manufacture and marketing of pink merchandise.
No. 3: The pink industry’s heavy use of war imagery (describing “battle” against breast cancer, for example) is misleading and harmful to the physical and psychological well-being of those whose cure–and lives–depend on effective medicine, not metaphor."
The LA Times makes these comments:
"Even after massive fundraising efforts ($1.9 billion in the last 30 years from Susan G. Komen for the Cure alone), a woman's lifetime odds of contracting the disease have narrowed from 1 in 22 in 1940 to 1 in 8 today. Little of that money has made its way into research into causes, notably environmental factors like contaminants from plastics or livestock treated with hormones, the film argues.
Instead the push has been for early detection and developing a cure—two areas that benefit pharmaceutical companies but not necessarily patients, a mere 20% — 30% of whom come from high-risk groups. You can't cure what you don't understand is one of the film's sobering messages."
NPR also states:
"As one woman observes, describing the treatment of cancer as a "fight" or a "battle" suggests that the disease is always beatable if patients make a heroic effort. The implication is that people who die "weren't trying very hard.""
[Anyone who tries to tell a woman with breast cancer that she isn't trying very hard needs is pretty damn stupid.]
"The disconnect between research and results is one of Pink Ribbons, Inc.'s keenest points. On-screen commentators contend that breast-cancer research is poorly coordinated and badly focused. Fewer than 30 percent of patients have a genetic proclivity for the illness, which indicates that most cases stem from environmental causes — yet relatively little attention is paid to prevention, or to chemicals that mimic estrogen and disrupt the human endocrine system."
A very thought provoking documentary on the ugly side of pinkification. Yes the film gives opportunities to for Komen and other non profits to offer their side but I think these messages are clear. Pink isn't helping. So please go watch the documentary if you can and learn more. If you wish to wear pink ribbons, just be sure to understand what the pink portion is going to and who or what it benefits.
My only problem with this film is that the closest it is showing to me is about 60 miles away - on the very tip of Cape Cod - which isn't very convenient in the summer.
Why I don't walk
I have never and will never go on a pink walk - or one of any other color. I feel no need. I admit I contemplated it once - for a brief while. But it will never be me. Nor do I ever plan on attending an event in a pink boa, tutu, t-shirt, or covered in pink ribbons.
I like pink. I really miss my old pink Red Sox hat that I lost. Its replacement just doesn't feel right and hasn't faded correctly. I own many pink garments - but do not wear ones which spell out breast cancer or that other evil label 'survivor'. Those are good for cleaning. I do own a pinked ice cream scoop and a pinked knife - both of which are of really good quality (Kitchen Aid I believe) and are very useful so I'll keep them.
But I digress. I do not walk. These 'walks' take all the fun out of walking. I enjoy regular walks. I used to walk every day. Now I go to the gym for dilapidated people three days a week and try to walk on the other days.
These 'walks' ask participants to go on training walks with the right equipment and in groups - there is no spontaneity there of walking out the door and enjoying the fresh air and sights around you. You also have to go to meetings, get a walker 'coordinator' to help you choose a training program, a handbook, and have to fund raise - a LOT of money.
I don't need a handbook, meeting or training program to know how to walk. Its very easy. I have been doing it since I was about one year old. It involves right, left, right, left, right, left, etc or you can go left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right, etc - you know what I mean. Its not complicated.
There are some short walks of three or five miles or kilometers or whatever they choose. You don't really need much training for those - maybe a new pair of sneakers, some good socks and a water bottle. If you aren't healthy you can do other things to help - fund raise, donate, sign in people, etc. But then you add in the distance of 40 or 60 miles and most people need some training. I think this takes all the fun out of walking - when you are given instructions on how far etc. A walk should be spontaneous and enjoyable.
I hear these lovely quotes in their advertisements 'I didn't think I could ever walk 40 miles but since my mother/sister/friend was strong enough to survive whatever cancer, I can do it.' And you hear about how people were inspired, elated, reborn or whatever by doing the walk. Blah, blah, blah. That doesn't do it for me.
My sister and a friend did the 40 mile walk a few years ago. I went and joined them for a half mile or so. It was a nice thing for them to do but I would never. Now that I have walked a tiny bit of a walk with them, I have decided its not a walk, its a parade. There are people on the side lines, there are cheering sections, there is music, there are bathroom stops, snack stops, and rest stops.You get to sleep in a tent in a field with thousands of other people.
I don't like being on parade with a bunch of other people who are dressed up in weird outfits. I like going to parades and will go to one either tomorrow or Monday or both. But I dislike being on parade. The participants in the real parades are not on parade, they are out to support whatever they want - not for a cause that requires a training program, handbook, and coordinator.
I like pink. I really miss my old pink Red Sox hat that I lost. Its replacement just doesn't feel right and hasn't faded correctly. I own many pink garments - but do not wear ones which spell out breast cancer or that other evil label 'survivor'. Those are good for cleaning. I do own a pinked ice cream scoop and a pinked knife - both of which are of really good quality (Kitchen Aid I believe) and are very useful so I'll keep them.
But I digress. I do not walk. These 'walks' take all the fun out of walking. I enjoy regular walks. I used to walk every day. Now I go to the gym for dilapidated people three days a week and try to walk on the other days.
These 'walks' ask participants to go on training walks with the right equipment and in groups - there is no spontaneity there of walking out the door and enjoying the fresh air and sights around you. You also have to go to meetings, get a walker 'coordinator' to help you choose a training program, a handbook, and have to fund raise - a LOT of money.
I don't need a handbook, meeting or training program to know how to walk. Its very easy. I have been doing it since I was about one year old. It involves right, left, right, left, right, left, etc or you can go left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right, etc - you know what I mean. Its not complicated.
There are some short walks of three or five miles or kilometers or whatever they choose. You don't really need much training for those - maybe a new pair of sneakers, some good socks and a water bottle. If you aren't healthy you can do other things to help - fund raise, donate, sign in people, etc. But then you add in the distance of 40 or 60 miles and most people need some training. I think this takes all the fun out of walking - when you are given instructions on how far etc. A walk should be spontaneous and enjoyable.
I hear these lovely quotes in their advertisements 'I didn't think I could ever walk 40 miles but since my mother/sister/friend was strong enough to survive whatever cancer, I can do it.' And you hear about how people were inspired, elated, reborn or whatever by doing the walk. Blah, blah, blah. That doesn't do it for me.
My sister and a friend did the 40 mile walk a few years ago. I went and joined them for a half mile or so. It was a nice thing for them to do but I would never. Now that I have walked a tiny bit of a walk with them, I have decided its not a walk, its a parade. There are people on the side lines, there are cheering sections, there is music, there are bathroom stops, snack stops, and rest stops.You get to sleep in a tent in a field with thousands of other people.
I don't like being on parade with a bunch of other people who are dressed up in weird outfits. I like going to parades and will go to one either tomorrow or Monday or both. But I dislike being on parade. The participants in the real parades are not on parade, they are out to support whatever they want - not for a cause that requires a training program, handbook, and coordinator.
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