STOP AND THINK BEFORE YOU BUY PINK!

Escaping the fact that’s its breast cancer awareness month in October has become as difficult as escaping the endless, Christmas commercialism  that once was isolated to December, but increasing seems to invade our lives all year round, losing its traditional Christian message, so much that I meet a growing no. of Christian who boycott celebrating Christmas. Let’s face it Jesus wasn’t born in December away, so celebrating his birth on 25^th of December in the mist of all the hype has become meaningless.

The question now bring raised by cancer survivors is has the ‘pink ribbon campaign’ become a victim of its own success. Are companies now just printing a pink ribbon on their products as a branding or marketing tool? And how is the money actually benefiting women who have breast cancer or early detection of breast cancer?

Supporting the McGrath Foundation

It sadden me to say their are companies and fundraiser out their who are sprouting the message for their own profits to the point that organisation who are fundraising put ‘pink’ buyer beware on there websites and their are now websites who publish a list of genuine fundraising  merchandise. The best way to ensure your donation dollar gets to where it is needed is by direct donation to the  Cancer Council in your state or well establish charities with a proven track record such as the National Breast Cancer Network  or Mc Grath Foundation. These genuine organisation build awareness and give direct support to women and fund raise all year round.  So you don’t need to fall trap to ‘think pink’ scammers, take you donation dollars outside the month of October if you wish. I recommend you buy your pink ribbon gear here.

"A pink ribbon on a item does not always mean your supporting women with Breast Cancer"

Today via a blog I follow I was me aware of the original meaning of ‘the pink ribbon’.  In a way was it was worn as a honour badge as a symbol of being a survivor of the disease known as breast cancer. Later it was worn as a symbol of solidarity worn by victims families and friends.  In its humble begins the pink ribbon was not about fundraising.  It was a powerful symbol of survival with a determination to defeat Breast Cancer.

Sadly in today’s commercialization of everything the original ideals held for the pink ribbon are lost. The hang on our dresses, shirts and ties like candy canes on a Christmas tree.  Pink is now the color of money, not a symbol of survival. Just like Christmas, pink October has fallen victim to branding and commercialism.

Together We Stand

Each year I am involved in hosting a Girls Night In typically recognised as ‘another breast cancer fundraiser event’ which it is not!  The Queensland Cancer Council’s Girls Night In Campaign is first and foremost about education of all types of cancers specific to women!  Of which, yes Breast Cancer is one, however at Girls Night In we’re also about educating women about cervical and ovarian cancer.

You can support my fundraiser here

By far the biggest threat to these cancers is early detection through education and early screening. This not only save lives but potential cost to the Health System, if we raise money bravo! It’s always seen as an addition.  I too am sadden in the past it was about reaching my target.  Now its – don’t want to donate, cool! Come hang out with the girls and remind yourself to be proactive about your health.  That’s why, I pack my girlfriends goodie bags with information showing them how to do self-examinations.  Hey, you can creatively do something like this yourself, simply designing a postcard or writing you girlfriends a letter.  You may end up being a life saver and that’s better than any donation amount. 

Although I having the girls over on Saturday night. It is not a fundraiser! It’s our night to enjoy being girls. I have chosen this year to host my fundraiser in November away from all the ‘pink ribbons’.

For me October is a chance to stop!  Take stock! Do the girl talk thing! Check our check-ups are up to date! And well party!!!!!

Our girl's night 2011

We’re having a craft night and will sell what we make at my pink Christmas and donate the money to the Queensland Cancer Council.  You can make a direct donation to them at My secure fund rasing page

So when you out and about and see a pink ribbon, STOP! Reflect on its original intent. Ask is that where you want your money to go?  Any by all means if the answer yes, or you need that particular items anyway, then I happy for you to make you purchase.  All I’m asking is you STOP AND THINK BEFORE YOU BUY PINK!