Fracking company teams up with Susan G. Komen, introduces pink drill bits “for the cure”

[ellenrr]

another shameful episode in the story of Komen;
Pinkwashing at its worse:

"Updated 10/8/2014 3:30 pm ET: In a statement to the IB Times, a Komen spokeswoman said that the partnership “grew from Baker Hughes’ involvement in our Houston Race for the Cure” and that “the issue is personal to them and their employees,” adding that “the evidence to this point does not establish a connection between fracking and breast cancer.”

Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the foundation known for painting everything pink and, in one extremely controversial decision, pulling its grants from Planned Parenthood, has found a partner in Baker Hughes, a major drilling services company. The result: Baker Hughes is rolling out one thousand pink drill bits this October. Seriously.

The oilfields giant, which also donated $100,000 to the foundation, boasts that it’s “doing our ‘bit’ for the cure.” Get it? It’s a pun. A horribly misguided, pinkwashing attempt at a pun."

http://www.salon.com/2014/10/08/susan_g_komen_teams_up_with_fracking_company_introduces_pink_drill_bits_for_the_cure/

[nc4bo]

1. If only frackers would let us in on their list of secret ingredients

I bet there would be more than just breast cancer on that list.

This is a true slap in the face to any woman who has lived through or died from breast cancer as well as their families, a real mockery and there should be shame.

Time to write the Komen organization and any other companies partcipating some nasty letters and burn up the phonelines and email boxes!

[NYC_SKP]

2. $100,000 toward a cure for cancer? I'll take it.

I might not like every damn thing that the energy industry does but I know they need drill bits, and these represent some number of good paying jobs for Americans.

There's plenty of work in the energy sector: http://www.bakerhughes.com/professionals/job-search-and-apply

I'm glad they made the gift and if making some pink bits raises awareness, well I'm alright with them, too.

Baker Hughes Expands Commitment to Susan G. Komen Company supports mission to end breast cancer forever

HOUSTON, Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Baker Hughes Incorporated (NYSE: BHI) announced today that for the second consecutive year, it will contribute USD 100,000 to support Susan G. Komen®, the world's leading breast cancer organization, in its efforts to end breast cancer forever. Martin Craighead, chairman and chief executive officer of Baker Hughes, will present a check to Nancy G. Brinker, chair of global strategy and founder of Susan G. Komen, just prior to the final Pittsburgh Steelers National Football League "pink-out game" on Sunday, October 26, 2014, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

"The research, education, and lifesaving community programs funded by Susan G. Komen over the past 30 years have made a significant impact in the fight against breast cancer, and we are privileged to sponsor such important efforts," said Craighead. "As someone who has been impacted by this life-altering disease, I understand the importance of Komen's ongoing research, education, support services and global programs, not only to those fighting the disease, but also to their loved ones, friends, and colleagues."

The year-long partnership with Komen is an extension of Baker Hughes' participation each year in the Komen Houston Race for the Cure, at which the company sponsors the Survivor Pin celebration. Survivor Pins are distributed to breast cancer survivors at the end of the 5K Race and symbolize both the completion of the Race and another victorious year of life. This year, Baker Hughes is participating in two more Race events in Tulsa and Denver.

Last October, during National Breast Cancer Awareness month, Baker Hughes distributed 500 pink drill bits to customers as part of its "Doing Our Bit for the Cure" campaign. This year, the company will paint and distribute a total of 1,000 pink drill bits worldwide. The pink bits serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting research, treatment, screening, and education to help find the cures for this disease, which claims a life every 60 seconds.

For more information on how Baker Hughes supports Komen's mission to end breast cancer forever, visit: www.bakerhughes.com/doingourbit.

[ohnoyoudidnt]

3. I don't know if this is a big fuck you or

a lame attempt to get good PR, but 100k isn't shit to them. It's like one of us donating a dime.

[NYC_SKP]

5. It's the second year of the program. They also support MS research, Habitat for Humanity, many more.

The instant hatred is pretty silly to see.

Not all, but many, corporations have charitable divisions that sponsor food banks, veterans, community programs, schools.

Funny how people don't bother to look into a company and what they do before lashing out at them.

Whether it's money or encouraging volunteerism, it's all building good citizenship for good causes.

Shitting on that is pretty unnecessary.

http://www.bakerhughes.com/company/about/community-involvement

[ohnoyoudidnt]

6. Walmart makes a lot of charitable donations too.

But donating the millions they do to charity doesn't make up for the damage they do. I guess I am cynical of the actions of fossil fuel companies given the industries history of lying and environmental destruction. The Kochs also donate to good causes, that doesn't mean their other actions are good. The good some companies do pales in comparison to the cost of what they do.

[NYC_SKP]

7. They make drill bits, FFS. In Texas, employing thousands.

Last edited Wed Oct 8, 2014, 08:28 PM - Edit history (1)

They aren't Exxon/Mobil or Chevron.
They don't frack, they sell tools used in the industry, just like Carhartt sells work clothing.
Should we shit on Carhartt, too, for providing something used by the oil and gas industry?
And what should they do, go out of business?

Houston-based Baker Hughes painted 1,000 drill bits pink at its Woodlands manufacturing facility and shipped them to customers all over the world.

The drill bits also come with informational pamphlets on early detection for breast cancer.

“If it helps someone’s girlfriend, wife, sister, daughter, it’s well worth the cause,” said Bill Debo, Baker Hughes’ director of drill bits-North America.

The cause is personal for Debo, who lost his mother to breast cancer when he was a senior in high school.

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2014/10/08/komen-baker-hughes-tap-pink-drill-bits-to-raise.html

[ohnoyoudidnt]

8. I am glad for any financial support that goes to a good cause.

While my initial interpretation of the story was that this was an actual fracking company was wrong (reading fail on my part), they are still an essential part of a system that I oppose. It's also not just drill bits, they also create the chemicals used which are a big part of the problem. I suppose they have an interest in keeping fracking alive and will do what they can to keep it that way. As long as fracking continues, it's at least good that this supporting company keeps their jobs in the country and donates to good causes. However, I wouldn't shed a tear if the entire fracking industry and their supporting companies went the way of the dinosaurs. I'd much rather see those thousands of jobs replaced by jobs in companies that create renewable energy.

[whistler162]

4. Next up pink packs of cigarettes

brought to you by Marlboro.

[proverbialwisdom]

9. Halliburton to Buy Baker Hughes for $34.6 Billion

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-17/halliburton-to-buy-baker-hughes-for-34-6-billion-sell-assets.html

Halliburton to Buy Baker Hughes for $34.6 Billion

By David Wethe and Tara Lachapelle
Nov 17, 2014 1:52 PM PT