Pink Ribbons, Inc. - the pink machine

I've thought long and hard about this issue. The pink ribbon machine. Hi-jacked by many business owners, cancer fundraising is big business. I wrote about it last fall: The Pink Machine.

I have read the book, and hope to see this movie. The book is an excellent commentary on pink washing, whereby a company connects with the breast cancer bandwagon, but doesn't truly respect the notion that we must watch for chemicals that cause cancer.
Many make-up products contain chemicals we know nothing about. Some are tested on animals, but that is another story.

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is upset with the film. CCS tells us that 65% of funds raised go towards breast cancer research. This is not the case for many businesses that use the pink ribbon to raise their profile and their SEO.

Breast cancer has become the poster child of cause-related marketing campaigns. Countless people walk, run and shop for the cure. Each year, millions of dollars are raised in the name of breast cancer, but where does this money go and what does it actually achieve?


Directed by Léa Pool and produced by Ravida Din, Pink Ribbons, Inc. is a feature documentary from the National Film Board of Canada that shows how the devastating reality of breast cancer, which marketing experts have labeled a “dream cause,” has become obfuscated by a shiny, pink story of success.

Watch a clip from Pink Ribbons, Inc. (Clip)online at NFB.ca

www.onf-nfb.gc.ca › ... › Press Room › Press Releases & Media Kits

The National Film Board of Canada presents Pink Ribbons, Inc. Directed by Léa Pool. Produced by Ravida Din. Written by Patricia Kearns & Nancy Guerin...

"Highly revelatory—at times shocking—Pink Ribbons, Inc. challenges the commercialization of the breast cancer movement, its place in U.S. culture, and its influence on ideas of good citizenship, responsible consumption, and generosity. "

The author, Samantha King, is an associate professor of physical and health education and women’s studies at Queen’s University, in Kingston, Ontario. It is well-written, and an interesting read. It is, indeed, shocking, the amount of money sunk into 'research', with no promises of support or delivery of programs. If you donate, you must be sure to check out the background of the sponsors.

I would caution you in entering the 'race for the cure'. There are questions as to how much money goes to research, and how much should go to supporting those with cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society provides a range of services, for example: a lodge in which to stay, peer support, volunteer drivers, etc.). They are transparent in their financial statements.

Helping those with cancer – watch the video

Our information and support services help cancer patients and their caregivers by reducing anxiety and increasing hope. In this video healthcare professionals speak about the benefits of the services and former clients share how these services helped them through their cancer journey.

The Susan B. Komen foundation has raised more than a billion dollars. They charge big bucks to participate in their machine. The disease is being used for profit. Every marketing strategist in North America has at least thought about tying their product up in a pink ribbon.

Breast cancer has become the poster child of cause-related marketing campaigns - people walk, run and shop for 'the cure'. Each year, millions of dollars are raised in the name of breast cancer, but where does this money go and what does it actually achieve?

The recent Ottawa Run For The Cure raised $1.5 million dollars. How is it that this kind of money cannot find a cure? I believe we must put more money into prevention, treatment and services. We know how to reduce the risk of cancer, if not prevent it:

• eat a balanced diet (mostly plants), reduce fats and alcohol, exercise, get enough sleep, manage stress. 

Yet marathon runners contract cancer, as well as those who do all of the above.

These sisters know that cancer is genetically heritable. How, then, could they have prevented it? Perhaps we need more genetic counselling. Perhaps those taking expensive, extreme in vitro fertilization should have the same counselling, rather than spending thousands of dollars to make a body get pregnant unnaturally.

Pink Ribbons, Inc. is a feature documentary that shows how the devastating reality of breast cancer, which marketing experts have labeled a "dream cause," has become obfuscated by a shiny, pink story of success.

For more information on this film, please visit Pink Ribbons, Inc. page or send an email to PinkRibbonsInc@nfb.ca.

Pink Ribbons, Inc. premieres at TIFF to a packed house | NFB.ca blog

12 Sep 2011

The Pink machine

I've thought long and hard about this issue. The pink ribbon machine. Hi-jacked by many business owners, cancer fundraising is big business.

Why is it that people are reduced to: Cross-border surgery

 

Cancer patients are forced to mortgage their houses to pay for advanced U.S. techniques Canada won't fund

Why isn't more research money put into these causes? Because cancer has been hijacking research dollars, and many have donor fatigue. I read the book Pink Ribbons, Inc., now a documentary.

Mom in 2005

How running will find a cure is nonsensical. Those who do the fundraising claim it 'raises awareness', and encourages fundraising. To what end? However, where do the funds go, in each organization? The language of cancer ought to change.

Hi-jacking Mr. Jack Layton

Many who are facing cancer do not want to be labelled fighters. Mr. Layton engaged medical interventions to get rid of cancer. We truly must pay attention to language, listen, and understand what it means to those with cancer.

Certainly, my mother misunderstood her treatment and potential for cure. She knew the buzz words: radiation, chemotherapy, but did not ask questions or understand the truth about chemo: it killed her. You can read about our journey here, this is an excerpt from my book:
 The oncologist: back to Toronto

--August 17, 2005

"Highly revelatory—at times shocking—Pink Ribbons, Inc. challenges the commercialization of the breast cancer movement, its place in U.S. culture, and its influence on ideas of good citizenship, responsible consumption, and generosity. "

The author, Samantha King, is an associate professor of physical and health education and women’s studies at Queen’s University, in Kingston, Ontario. It is well-written, and an interesting read. It is, indeed, shocking, the amount of money sunk into 'research', with no promises of support or delivery of programs. If you donate, you must be sure to check out the background of the sponsors.

I would caution you in entering the 'race for the cure'. There are questions as to how much money goes to research, and how much should go to supporting those with cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society provides a range of services, for example: a lodge in which to stay, peer support, volunteer drivers, etc.). They are transparent in their financial statements.

Helping those with cancer – watch the video

Our information and support services help cancer patients and their caregivers by reducing anxiety and increasing hope. In this video healthcare professionals speak about the benefits of the services and former clients share how these services helped them through their cancer journey.

The Susan B. Komen foundation has raised more than a billion dollars. They charge big bucks to participate in their machine. The disease is being used for profit. Every marketing strategist in North America has at least thought about tying their product up in a pink ribbon.

Breast cancer has become the poster child of cause-related marketing campaigns - people walk, run and shop for 'the cure'. Each year, millions of dollars are raised in the name of breast cancer, but where does this money go and what does it actually achieve?


Sisters know first-hand cancer can be beaten  
However, through the experience they learned the disease is genetic and their family members are carriers, leaving them worried about the future for their children. That’s part of why they decided to come out to raise funds to help find a cure.


The recent Ottawa Run For The Cure raised $1.5 million dollars. How is it that this kind of money cannot find a cure? I believe we must put more money into prevention, treatment and services. We know how to reduce the risk of cancer, if not prevent it:
eat a balanced diet (mostly plants), reduce fats and alcohol, exercise, get enough sleep, manage stress. Yet marathon runners contract cancer, as well as those who do all of the above.
These sisters know that cancer is genetically heritable. How, then, could they have prevented it? Perhaps we need more genetic counselling. Perhaps those taking expensive, extreme in vitro fertilization should have the same counselling, rather than spending thousands of dollars to make a body get pregnant unnaturally.

Pink Ribbons, Inc. is a feature documentary that shows how the devastating reality of breast cancer, which marketing experts have labeled a "dream cause," has become obfuscated by a shiny, pink story of success.


For more information on this film, please visit Pink Ribbons, Inc. page or send an email toPinkRibbonsInc@nfb.ca.
Pink Ribbons, Inc. premieres at TIFF to a packed house | NFB.ca blog

12 Sep 2011