Posted on 10/03/2009 2:33:01 PM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
I really don't notice all the pink ribbons but I'm about to puke from all the yellow wrist bands.
Because of her experience, I am very cynical. I bet if we ask a doctor how long someone will live if they choose not to treat the cancer, they'll say they don't know. Then my question to them is how do they know if they're doing the patient any favors by cutting, poisoning and zapping?
I don't trust any of them. I'm taking my chances as I cannot see myself ever doing chemo.
I know I'm going to die someday and I want to feel well as long as possible.
Must be nice to be able to complain about such a thing. I prefer donating to childhood cancer research, anyway.
I wear pink precious feet. :-)
I will go out of my way to NOT buy Breast Cancer pink products. The gimmick annoys me. Breast cancer isn’t the only disease in the world.
I have/had breast cancer - 2 year survivor and with my particular type of of breast cancer - I have “0” chance of making 5 years. So, far, so good for me.
I like pink and I do wear pink ribbons “sometimes”. But, I wear the pink ribbon stuff because I feel like it on a particular day.
But, I don’t want every thing in my house to be pink ribbon stuff. I’m trying to get on with my life and forget about my cancer, I don’t need continually reminded of it with everything. After all, I am reminded of it everyday when I take a shower.
Sorry, did not mean to be insensitive there. I wish you all the best and will keep you in our prayers.
however, breast cancer strikes young women many times, and rarely does prostate strike a young man....I've heard it said that if men live long enough, they will get prostate cancer....
not making light of it but I think a disease that can kill 20 or 30 yros is more frightening than one that could kill a 65 yro....
Cheerios is a General Mills product, and General Mills supports a number of left-wing causes. Many years ago some action by GM induced me to create my "Permanent Boycott" list -- it's really hard to get on it, but difficult to get off (because once you're on I forget why you're there; no appeal is possible). I think there was a GM link to PETA or anti-hunting, and Sony had its rootkits, but in any case I don't buy either company's products anymore.
Last time I went to buy a mini-pocket camera, feature-wise the Sony had it but I bought a Nikon instead. (And am happy with it!)
I couldn't care less about breast cancer, typhoid, lupus, or anything other disease at this point.
Lots of links. We don’t buy anything with the pink ribbon on it.
Another reason my wife ( a breast cancer survivor) has nothing to do with the Susan G Komen thing.
My mother, who I spoke of, had a radical mastectomy in 1978, had her lymph nodes removed and was fine until she died in 2006 from unrelated causes. They do remarkable things now so to close your mind before knowing the facts is foolish. We call it contempt prior to investigation and it will ALWAYS get you in trouble.
<Heart disease is the number one cause of death of American women and all this over-marketing of breast cancer drains away research dollars for heart disease that could save far more women’s lives.
Amen. I don’t buy any of that pink stuff and I try to tell my friends about the heart disease issue.
I have a friend who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer; I don’t see how buying a bunch of pink stuff is going to help her out. (She is doing fine now after radiation; they got it early)
You may change your mind IF you are ever faced with the reality of the situation. Thousands of women are very thankful for the second chance at life with chemo.
What color of ribbon would they use for this disease??
I try very hard to look for the success stories. Right now, I want to stay as far away from doctors as I can.
Ya...save the ta tas. :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.