October each year is a bad time for breast cancer survivors, since the trivialisation and sexualization of the disease by well-meaning groups and the commercial exploitation of the pink dollar by some companies has reached unacceptable heights. What started as a month of awareness-raising has developed into an exercise in pink washing that obscures the true extent of the processes used in treating the cancer, leads men to believe that it is exclusively a women’s disease, and obscures the fact that there is no cure for breast cancer.
Therefore, at PinktoberSucks.com we wish to bring a full awareness of the reality of the disease to the general public, and ensure that there is transparency in where the proceeds donated end up, the percentage going to reputable medical institutions looking for cures, and the funds publicly accounted for. Where possible, monies raised should be distributed in an appropriate manner to the community in which the funds were raised. As well, corporations must be held accountable for the suitability of the pink products they sell, and their staff trained in dealing with customers who question their sales motives and end use of the funds donated.
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Pink Ribbon Culture
The culture of the pink ribbon, started as a non-commercial way of helping raise awareness of breast cancer, has lost its way and needs to be overhauled to eliminate the exploitation of women living with an incurable disease. As well, it is reinforcing the common perception that males don’t get breast cancer.
Breast cancer campaigns must shift from awareness raising to evidence-based information that does not trivialize the disease and avoids the blatant sexualizing of women’s bodies. Slogans like “save the ta-tas” and “save second base” are demeaning and do nothing to save lives.
Without full transparency and accountability in breast cancer fundraising and marketing, people have little idea where the money is going and who benefits besides companies and some charities with high administrative costs. Worse still, some products being sold increase the risk of breast cancer!
The promotion of products that have nothing to do with breast cancer and exploiting people’s desire to ‘help the cause’, needs a serious reality check.
Read: The Pink, Festive Atmosphere of Breast Cancer Walks Is an Assault to All that I’ve Lost – HERE
Pinktober rant
I hate #pinktober. The world gets coated with a putrid pig pinkness designed by marketing gurus to make a buck or two off of breast cancer. And how much actually goes back to true breast cancer research, education, and funding for women who need financial assistance during treatment? The answer is not much compared to percentage of profits and isn’t that true?
Someone said to me today that they worry there will never be a cure for breast cancer because marketing and advertising folks would never allow it. Yes, it was jaded and tongue in cheek but seriously, do you need your greasy take out chicken in a pink bucket? Does your cheap liquor taste better with a pink label? And does pink plastic nonsense make recycling more fun?
Already the hyper-sexualized images of big boobs peeking out of pink and white and just pink bras are popping up. Gee do we think the models are actual survivors?
Edited from Carla’s blog, continue reading HERE