I'm reading a magazine and there's a photo of a running tank that costs 45 dollars. It's pink. For each sale, the company will donate two dollars to a fund for breast cancer research.
It's October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so the pink campaign is everywhere. This year, it's harder for me to face.
This photo is of my friend Tracy. She was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer at age 26. She died last June. She was 30. It's hard for me to even write those words because the loss is still so fresh. Tracy was one of the most amazing people I have ever met and I feel privileged to have known her. Up until the end, she remained positive. When I lost my job last winter, Tracy was one of my biggest cheerleaders. Her support meant so much to me, especially in the face of her own problems. She was an animal lover and top fundraiser for the Maryland SPCA. She had a big heart and she left a big hole.
Before Tracy was diagnosed, I really didn't know how cancer patients really feel about October and the pink ribbon campaign. As Tracy wrote on her blog in 2010,
Rather than buying pink yogurt or overpriced so-called breast cancer merchandise, consider donating to one of the following organizations instead.
The Pink Daisy Project was started by breast cancer survivor Debbie Cantwell. Donated funds help breast cancer patients with everyday costs, such as groceries and housecleaning and prescription costs, things healthy people often take for granted.
The Young Survival Coalition is dedicated to women under 40 fighting breast cancer. The YSC has a forum to help patients find resources and get support.
Tracy had a profound impact on everyone who ever met her. I'll never forget her. This October, take a moment to think about breast cancer and the people it impacts and consider donating to one of the organizations above.
It's October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so the pink campaign is everywhere. This year, it's harder for me to face.
This photo is of my friend Tracy. She was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer at age 26. She died last June. She was 30. It's hard for me to even write those words because the loss is still so fresh. Tracy was one of the most amazing people I have ever met and I feel privileged to have known her. Up until the end, she remained positive. When I lost my job last winter, Tracy was one of my biggest cheerleaders. Her support meant so much to me, especially in the face of her own problems. She was an animal lover and top fundraiser for the Maryland SPCA. She had a big heart and she left a big hole.
Before Tracy was diagnosed, I really didn't know how cancer patients really feel about October and the pink ribbon campaign. As Tracy wrote on her blog in 2010,
The awareness campaign began in 1985 and was started by AstraZeneca, a drug company which manufactures the breast cancer drugs Arimidex and Tamoxifen. It made sense back then. In 1985 we needed awareness. It’s now 2010 and unless you live in a hobbit hole I’m pretty sure you’re well aware of breast cancer. What we need today is a real, non-toxic, tangible treatment and cure. And possibly my biggest reason for being against the pink ribbon is the sheer exploitation of my illness. Companies slap the pink ribbon on their product as a way to boost sales by playing on people’s emotions and fears. The percentage of the sale that actually goes to cancer organizations is tiny at best.I see what she meant. The next time I need a new running tank, I'll buy the cheap one at Target and then I'll send a donation straight to a those who can really use it.
Rather than buying pink yogurt or overpriced so-called breast cancer merchandise, consider donating to one of the following organizations instead.
The Pink Daisy Project was started by breast cancer survivor Debbie Cantwell. Donated funds help breast cancer patients with everyday costs, such as groceries and housecleaning and prescription costs, things healthy people often take for granted.
The Young Survival Coalition is dedicated to women under 40 fighting breast cancer. The YSC has a forum to help patients find resources and get support.
The YSC was the very first resource I found as a newly diagnosed patient and it has been an invaluable tool in guiding me through this journey. I have conversed with countless women through the YSC forum, all of whom I consider to be friends, though we’ve never met. We share something that only women with breast cancer can understand and I wouldn’t be the informed and well adjusted person that I am today without their support.Finally, Moveable Feast provides free meals to people in Maryland living with AIDS, cancer and other life challenging conditions.
Tracy had a profound impact on everyone who ever met her. I'll never forget her. This October, take a moment to think about breast cancer and the people it impacts and consider donating to one of the organizations above.
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2 comments:
Well said.
thank you so much for writing this.
these annual "pink" campaigns have nothing much to do with curing or treating breast cancer, or helping those struggling with the illness. sure, a tiny bit of profits drifts that direction, but on the whole, this campaign is designed to boost profits of companies. you can buy pink bike seats, pink spatulas, pink vacuums, pre-washed salad with a pink ribbon -- and that will not cure cancer.
thanks for the links to resources that really do help.
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