Thinking Pink? Buying Pink" Big Business for Shoppers for Breast Cancer!

[KoKo]

By Mia Davis and Amy Lubitow

We’re sure you’ve noticed: October is breast cancer awareness month. You can’t miss the deluge of pink ribbons on every store shelf, on NFL players, jewelry, cosmetics. Even the White House went pink this month.

Pink ribbons are big business. At present, 1 out of 8 women is diagnosed with breast cancer in the US, so nearly all of us know someone who has been affected, and want to show support or DO something to help. Many of these women have no family history, and their diagnosis can be a huge shock. But when we are encouraged to shop as a way to take action, we lose, because the consumption-oriented compulsion to buy pink primarily serves the interests of major corporate entities, not our loved ones with cancer.

Here is the bottom line: Shopping for pink products is never going to stop breast cancer.

Why be so pessimistic about pink? Companies like Proctor & Gamble, Estee Lauder and Avon position themselves as champions for women through their work to bring about “breast cancer awareness.” But they also can – and do — use chemicals linked to cancer in their products (and it remains legal to do so due to a lack of adequate regulatory protections nationwide). When companies use the pink ribbon under the guise of promoting “awareness” without making sure that they are doing all that they can to prevent cancer in the first place, they are taking advantage of- literally capitalizing on- our desire to support women with breast cancer. It is called pinkwashing….”


http://www.momsrising.org/blog/why-we-can’t-shop-our-way-out-of-breast-cancer/

[JimDandy]

1. Even more disgusting

Clear Channel Broadcasting had an ad last week on several of their radio stations in our area that urged women to visit their "PINK" page for info about getting a free mammogram. Ok suck in your breath, because the desperate women, like me, who can't afford an exam, got elated and went there:

http://www.1280kptq.com/cc-common/contests/index.html?id=155665

only to find it is a CONTEST (yes a CONTEST!) to WIN a free mammogram.

Gut-wrenching and sickening don't even approach describing the devastating feeling that washed over me. And then the ANGER - that Clear Channel Broadcasting would use such a disgusting tactic-preying on women in desperate need of such a medical exam.


"..they are taking advantage of-literally capitalizing on-our desire to support women with breast cancer. It is called pinkwashing….”

[KoKo]

5. That's pretty sick. Thanks for giving that link.

:-( I know the Department stores in our Mall had whole sections devoted to pink sneakers, sunglasses, totes and all kinds of stuff with a big logo to get you to buy the stuff.

I wonder if anyone has ever investigated the founder of that group to see if she's making some money on the side.

[seabeyond]

2. for the last two years i have gotten more and more angry about the pink issue

i boycott all pink.

[sarcasmo]

4. My wife and I agree. Pink has been over taken by the corporation.

[rucky]

3. Anybody here unaware of breast cancer?

Good. Then can we move on to finding a cure?