Sick of Pink (Breast Cancer Awareness Marketing Machine)

Boston Globe ^ | October 4, 2009 | Kris Frieswick

[nickcarraway]

This month, like every October, a sea of pink ribbons washes over products from sneakers to snacks. While the effort raises research dollars, it leaves some breast cancer survivors feeling that companies are profiting from their pain.

When KimZielinski was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 at the age of 33, well-meaning friends inundated her with products bearing a little pink ribbon. Each product’s maker promised a cut of the sales price to a breast cancer charity, and these friends felt they were supporting the cause and, by association, Zielinski. A petite brunette who’s now 35, she was enormously grateful for the millions of dollars that these pink-ribbon products direct each year to charities that fund breast cancer research and education.

But it wasn’t long before she got a little sick of the pink. “I felt kind of hateful,” says the insurance company sales manager who lives in Charlestown. “I was like, ‘What makes you think I like pink now?’

“I think that the pink ribbon, as a symbol, tends to pretty up what is a pretty crappy disease. But a pink ribbon is easier to look at than the disease itself.”

Many breast cancer survivors like Zielinski find themselves conflicted over this little powerful ribbon. Some survivors feel companies are exploiting breast cancer, marketing themselves as philanthropic outfits that care about women when what they mostly care about is the pink ribbon’s enormous ability to boost profits. Some just feel overwhelmed by the constant pink reminder, especially in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, of a disease that has forever altered their lives.

Since she was diagnosed 2½ years ago, Anna Schleelein, a 26-year-old attorney in Newton, spends Octobers in a self-imposed pop-culture blackout. She tries to avoid TV, magazines, and, especially, shopping, to steer clear of all those pink-ribbon products.

[pabianice]

Not to be sexist or anything, but prostate cancer strikes 80% as many men as breast cancer strikes women. Where is prostate cancer awareness month and the attendant multi-million dollar campaigns?

[vox_freedom]

Thanks for posting this. For some time I thought I was the only one fatigued with the pink, pink, pink stuff. While I think it is fine that folks are raising money for what is a good cause, it has become a bit much.

[tioga]

prostrate just doesn’t have the marketing appeal of boobs......
;^)

[Carl LaFong]

Yep. Keep that meme on rolling, Kris. Evil business exploiting sick victims. Always sells . Especially at the NY Times-Boston Globe propaganda beacon.

[egannacht]

Brett Favre will wear pink on Monday Night Football game.

[Hildy]

Wny? Becuase women contol the purse strings.

[DuncanWaring]

I’m not sure where you got “80%” from, but I seem to recall CDC numbers showing that both the incidence and mortality from prostate cancer are higher than the corresponding numbers for breast cancer.

[Psycho_Bunny]

I find it annoying, and won’t buy any product, or patronize any establishment, displaying the ribbon.

[Secret Agent Man]

I sympathize, but I choose not to wear the ribbon.

[rabidralph]

Haven’t you heard? The NFL and maybe college sports, now have a red ballcap to bring attention to prostate cancer. I’m sure they must have an awareness month by now, too. Maybe it’s all rolled into the Jimmy V foundation and its basketball outreach. I’m sorry you’ve felt left out of victim recognition.

[goodwithagun]

I have heard the Komen donates to Planned Parenthood. Can somebody confirm or deny, with support?

[freedumb2003]

>>prostate cancer strikes 80% as many men as breast cancer strikes women. Where is prostate cancer awareness month and the attendant multi-million dollar campaigns?
<<

You Sexist and Racist scum!

Any statement that goes against the Mainstream Left is sexist and racist!

[cripplecreek]

Can we have a donut and gloved hot dog campaign for prostate cancer awareness?

[HereInTheHeartland]

They are using a terrible disease to pad the bottom line. “We care, so buy from us”

[RichInOC]

There’s a breast-cancer awareness foundation called “Feel Your Boobies”. “Get A Finger Up Your...” just doesn’t have the same...uh, ring...to it.

[KarlInOhio]

1. I thought I was the only one getting tired of it. It has gone past companies which seem to care enough to put a pink ribbon on their products to companies using it as a mere advertising gimmick.

2. Why pink? Not every breast is pink. My little friend here has a response to those who think pink ones are the only important ones:

:-)

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

Right! Just take capitalism out of finding a cure and give them a pain pill.
/s

[nickcarraway]

I think it’s because women make doctors appointments and take care of their health more. Which is fine, good for them. I don’t like how they try to claim evil forces are preventing any money from being spent on breast cancer research.

[nickcarraway]

No, it’s blue and it’s stupid.