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.

[cripplecreek]

I've found a spokesperson for our "Bend over for prostate cancer awareness" campaign.



Its a good thing.

[netmilsmom]

I believe that the uptick in Breast Cancer is due to the ladies who loaded up on BC pills and had abortions. I buy nothing with a pink ribbon eventhough I’ve had family members die of breast cancer including my favorite Aunt and a Dear 43 year old cousin who left 4 small children behind.

The ribbons are annoying. I actually love the baby pink but will by nothing with the ribbons on them.

[lonestar]

Not to be sexist or anything...

Men can, and do, have breast cancer.

[Cheburashka]

I notice the packaging is pink.

[libbytarian]

I met a women while waiting to have radiation. We had a conversation and both shared our type of cancer. I had breast cancer; she had lung cancer. She said she envied me because 85% of those with breast cancer survive while 15% die and the survival rate for lung cancer is 15% survive and 85% die. I am coming up on the 5 year anniversary of my diagnosis. Every time I see a pink ribbon; I think of her and wonder if she is still living.

[Erik Latranyi]

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

It is true. Here is the link:

http://www.rnclife.org/blog/2007/10/susan-g-komen-awards-72-grants-to.html

[nickcarraway]

Good luck to you and stay healthy.

[Trillian]

They disgust me.. they donate money (that’s supposed to be for breast cancer research) to planned parenthood who kills millions of babies.

[Hattie]

Last night we went to eat at a restaurant that was covered with the pink. Pink feathers around the lights, pink signs on the table, windows covered with pink lettering asking for donations. I told my spouse that someone other than the breast cancer women was bound to be profiting.

[sistabrista]

You aren’t the only one. I’m getting sick of it myself. Heck, Ford has a breast cancer awarness Mustang that has cute little pink trim on it. A portion of the proceeds go to breast cancer research, of course.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z15163/Ford-Mustang-WIP.aspx#

[laweeks]

This Koman thing is a big front for Planned Parenthood donations. I stopped giving to this maddness a couple years ago. I refuse to donate money directly or indirectly to the baby killers. How they got their bloody, filthy hands on this otherwise respectable fund raiser is beyond me.

[NonValueAdded]

Save the ta-ta’s

[donna]

That’s something to look forward to. Let’s talk about men’s private parts even more than we already do now.

Adults used to put this much effort into their children’s wellbeing.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

Well, I'm a woman and I'm not impressed. I recall when they came out with the breast cancer stamp. I refused to buy one. I'm sick of the pandering.

We'd all be far better off if corporations would forget all this philanthropy and let us make our own tax deductible donations to whomever we choose.

Besides, I'm getting extremely cynical. How many years have we been fighting this war on cancer with very little to show for it.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

I geuss Prostrate Awareness Month is pretty much whenever there is a baseball or football game on. Its impossible nowadays to watch a game on tv and just be bombarded with these Viagara and prostrate cancer type ads. Its kinda ridiculous.

[50mm]

The sight that makes men cringe:

[OpeEdMunkey]

Where is prostate cancer awareness month and the attendant multi-million dollar campaigns?

Nope. No one wants to see that. And what would the designated color be?

[OpeEdMunkey]

[T Minus Four]

I’m a four year survivor and I’ve been sick of it for a few years. It was all fine and well the year I was going through chemo, LOL! But really, I don’t remember it being so pervasive before then.

i tell my friends and family, if you want to feel good about breast cancer, don’t but a pink stand mixer. Send the money to city of Hope, or the American Cancer Society.

But under no circumstances support Susan G Komen, even if it’s as simple as a chocolate bar.

[Iron Munro]