to pink or not to pink that is the question ...by shay
Well, it’s almost that time of year again, Breast Cancer Awareness Month or as many call it “PINKTOBER”. I never really understood that there are so many breast cancer survivors who dread this month, until I had it myself and I really took the time to listen to other people’s viewpoints on it. But does anyone ever really understand what is behind something unless it affects you or someone you love?
For nearly four decades our country has recognized October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While the pink running ribbon is the trademark of the Susan G. Komen Foundation to signify the promise between two sisters to help end breast cancer, any pink ribbon now can be used on anything. In fact, as the famous month rolls around pink is on everything from pens to kitchen appliances all claiming to give back to breast cancer. But does anyone ever investigate how much give back goes to breast cancer patients and survivors? More about that later… Let’s talk about the entire month of October, breast cancer awareness month began in 1985 as a partnership with American Cancer Society, a pharmaceutical company with the help of Betty Ford who herself was a breast cancer survivor at a time when no one talked about it. She brought on worldwide attention to Women’s Health Care at the time because her husband Gerald Ford was President of the United States. A pioneer of her time, she used her famous platform to raise awareness, educating and empowering women to take charge of their health, learning about self-breast exams and how early detection could save lives. While all of this was done for the best intentions some breast cancer survivors cringe seeing pink at almost every turn. You just can’t get away from seeing the famous color at gas stations, grocery check-out lines, and pink plastered at almost every store in a shopping mall just to sell something. Even some organizations claim that your dollars raised go directly to breast cancer patients, survivors, or research to end breast cancer, I mean let’s face it, when you hear these gut-wrenching stories, you want to give, and you give out of emotions that if you give you will be a part of ending a horrible disease. Even though I have given thousands of dollars over the years during this famous month I never investigated the organizations I gave to until a conversation with a cohort of about 100 breast cancer survivors who opened my eyes to the world of “Pinktober” and while not all pink is bad here are some questions to ask before you donate to a company or an organization that “gives back” to the cause.
How much of my donation will directly support breast cancer patients or breast cancer programs?
When I donate money to a company or organization, what do they do with the funds they receive and how does this directly affect the breast cancer community?
Does my local hospital accept donations that specifically help breast cancer patients in need without going through a 3rd party? *
Ask yourself how you want to help the breast cancer community, through research, cancer care, or ongoing survivorship programs?
There are so many ways to give pink: if you know where the pink you give goes.