I actually appreciated the flashes of pink on TV last night. As a woman, it was nice to see a bunch of men say “there is a woman in my life that matters to me, a woman I don’t want to lose.”

To have this much awareness for what is primarily a woman’s disease - in a country that still covers Viagra before birth control pills under most health insurance plans - is a big deal.

That being said? Yes - think before you pink.

I generally avoid “gimmacks” including overpriced products, “walks,” guilt campaigns, etc. I am a strong believer in finding a cause, researching different charities, and substantively supporting the ones you believe will make a real difference. I would rather send $500 to one organization than $5 / $50 to various different ones.

That said, I do understand the point of visibility. However, there’s visibility and then there’s a fad. I think that the “pink” business has crossed over that line. The “boobies” thing - I mean, let’s get serious. Same thing with corporate “races” to be the biggest contributors. It may seem like any donation is better than no donation. But I believe that “charity” given with the wrong intent does more harm than good.

To draw attention, it might be more effective to come out with a completely different, unexpected message / delivery.

I might say more, but this site has been so slow lately. Any chance that it will be fixed soon?

I agree with what you said, and it isn’t limited to breast cancer, but all the ribbon and other campaigns. It is greed driven, and marketing. And the saddest part, I hate to say it, is that they probably make so much money off these marketing campaigns (because customers DO have their hearts in the right place, and they count on it), is that when their is a cure, for any kind of cancer, will it be released right away? Or will they milk it for a few more years… sounds cynical, but they’ve been collecting lots of money for many years now, and we all know how much these campaigns make. I don’t buy pink, unless is VERY cute and then it’s just because of the colour not the cause. I DO donate money to hospitals and proper funds, because, really, we need to help when we can.

(FYI, as I write this there is a bright pink add bar for Yoplait next to the comment box…there you go! )

I can’t argue with awareness, but I can argue with companies making lots of bucks from what is sold as ‘charity’.

This is the first “pink” pitch I’ve received in 6 weeks that clearly states what perentage of the proceeds go to breast cancer charities, which charities get the money, and whether there’s a cap on the amount donated. So I’m willing to spread the word:

PUMA is donating 100 percent of all profits from their new Project Pink WPS clothing and accessories line to a breast cancer charity this October. Which charity? You get to help choose. Go to http://puma.promo.eprize.com/pink/gallery to vote for the charity you want; the winner will be announced in late October.

You can also help PUMA donate without buying anything. Tweet using the hash tag #projectpink once a day from now until October 18, and PUMA will donate an additional $1 to the Project Pink cause, up to $25,000. (One tweet with the hash tag, per Twitter handle, per day).

I avoid anything pink ribbon at all costs, because the Komen Foundation, just like a majority of charities that claim to fund research for cures, is just anothr way of exploiting the public. Jerry Lewis started the trend by making a fortune with the MDA, but all of the other similar charities have followed suit, making the founders and/or CEOs millionaires; all on the premise that you donations make a difference. Personally, I only donate to local Food Banks and groups that give people in their community free clothes, toiletries, and whatever other basic need they may need.