My sister sent me a text on Thursday asking if I felt vindicated by the backlash against Komen. I responded by saying that vindicated wasn't the right word. What I am is finally relieved that maybe now I won't be alone in thinking that Komen isn't the world's greatest organization. That I won't be the only person in the store in October thinking that purchasing pink can openers and pink cookie packages won't stop breast cancer. And I won't be the only one with a bad attitude towards the Komen walk/run registration tables at the mall.
My hope from the Komen PR fallout is that 6 months from now, I won't be the only one who remembers.
I would also like to use this post as an opportunity to promote Breast Cancer Action, who is on the forefront of the raising awareness about the environmental causes of breast cancer. I should have mentioned BCA in my last post, but if you are looking to donate to or get involved with a nationally-recognized breast cancer organization who actually tries to help women, BCA is a good one to look into.
P.S. I hope this post makes sense. Insomnia does not help my writing.
Showing posts with label breast cancer awareness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breast cancer awareness. Show all posts
06 February 2012
31 January 2012
Keep the Money Local
If you've been following the news tonight, or been on Facebook, you've probably stumbled across the announcement that the Komen Organization has stopped providing grants for breast exams to Planned Parenthood affiliates. If you have no idea what I am talking about, here is a link to NPR's version of the story. I have strong opinions about Komen. For now, I will just say, that I am not a fan and leave it at that.
But I do have a message for everyone (at least those ranting on Facebook status updates) who is attacking Komen for cutting funding to Planned Parenthood. If you really care about women with breast cancer, and want to do something for them, put your money where your mouth is, and donate to local organizations. The walks, runs, and pink merchandise raise money towards keeping the the Komen machine running smoothly. But how much of that money is actually helping the woman (or man) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and going through treatment? Cancer patients need caretakers, drivers, meals, and a clean house. They don't need another stupid ribbon. They are already aware of the cancer. It bit them in the ass.
Almost every community has local organizations which exist to help ease the life stresses of cancer patients. In my small, rural town I can name two. One group provides wigs; the other arranges drivers to take patients to a doctor or to the chemo clinic. Save your energy and don't passive aggressively attack Komen. Find a better organization in your local community to give your time or money donations. I bet the organizers will be pretty darn thankful.
But I do have a message for everyone (at least those ranting on Facebook status updates) who is attacking Komen for cutting funding to Planned Parenthood. If you really care about women with breast cancer, and want to do something for them, put your money where your mouth is, and donate to local organizations. The walks, runs, and pink merchandise raise money towards keeping the the Komen machine running smoothly. But how much of that money is actually helping the woman (or man) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and going through treatment? Cancer patients need caretakers, drivers, meals, and a clean house. They don't need another stupid ribbon. They are already aware of the cancer. It bit them in the ass.
Almost every community has local organizations which exist to help ease the life stresses of cancer patients. In my small, rural town I can name two. One group provides wigs; the other arranges drivers to take patients to a doctor or to the chemo clinic. Save your energy and don't passive aggressively attack Komen. Find a better organization in your local community to give your time or money donations. I bet the organizers will be pretty darn thankful.
19 October 2010
Still time to vote
If you haven't voted yet, or haven't voted in a while, don't worry, you can still vote for Casting for Recovery in the Pepsi Refresh contest. Right now, CFR is ranked #4 in the health category for the $250,000. I'll write about my experience later, but last month, I attended their Ohio retreat and had a wonderful experience. please help CFR win some money to help the program expand.
07 September 2010
You simply can't do both
Breast Cancer Action, a San Francisco-based advocacy group that seeks to educate the public about potential causes of breast cancer, has a new campaign for Fall 2010. BCA seeks 6,220 signatures for a petition they will send to Eli Lilly, a corporation which makes both rBGH (a potential cancer causing hormone primarily used in dairy cows) AND breast cancer drugs. So far BCA has reached about half the signatures they need. The reason for 6,220 signatures is to equal one signature for each day that rBGH has been on the market.
Please sign the petition, and spread the word.
Please sign the petition, and spread the word.
24 August 2010
Private Quarters
For me, my cancer diagnosis has always been a private matter. I shared it with mainly friends and family. Due to my wedding happening two months after the diagnosis, I probably shared it with more people than I felt necessary, but I didn't want someone attending the wedding to learn about my situation at the wedding. If you were close enough to me to be there, you deserved to know.
At the time of my diagnosis and first surgery, I shared my situation with very coworkers. A few months later, when it came time to begin chemo, I felt that those who worked closely me deserved to learn about my medical status. And luckily, many of my coworkers respected my privacy and didn't gossip. Many colleagues didn't even realize what was happening until it was over, until I stopped wearing my wig. Being almost bald is kind of a giveaway. And I think there are many who still don't know.
My reason for being quiet was because I never wanted to be defined by a few rogue cells that decided to take root and grow within my body. Once you tell people that you have cancer, the disease takes over your life. People begin to look at you differently. Conversations are awkward. I didn't want my life to be only about the cancer.
Today, NPR produced a piece about people who feel differently than me. In fact, one person is quoted as thinking that a television character who is private about having cancer is not believable character. "Turning Cancer, Other Diseases, Into Causes" discusses changes in society's attitude over the past few decades regarding sharing diagnoses and promoting disease awareness.
As I write this blog entry, I wonder if you might find me hypocritical for claiming privacy since I write a blog. My blog began as a way to share what was happening in my life with a few close friends so I wouldn't have to call everyone every time something new happened. As my medical adventures have began to die down, I've wondered if keeping the blog going was necessary. My psychologist encourages me to write a journal as a form of therapy, and this blog is my cancer journal.
And I keep my blog public, just in case someone out there, maybe recently diagnosed with breast cancer, worrying that they may be alone, possibly overwhelmed by a scary sea of rah-rah pink.
At the time of my diagnosis and first surgery, I shared my situation with very coworkers. A few months later, when it came time to begin chemo, I felt that those who worked closely me deserved to learn about my medical status. And luckily, many of my coworkers respected my privacy and didn't gossip. Many colleagues didn't even realize what was happening until it was over, until I stopped wearing my wig. Being almost bald is kind of a giveaway. And I think there are many who still don't know.
My reason for being quiet was because I never wanted to be defined by a few rogue cells that decided to take root and grow within my body. Once you tell people that you have cancer, the disease takes over your life. People begin to look at you differently. Conversations are awkward. I didn't want my life to be only about the cancer.
Today, NPR produced a piece about people who feel differently than me. In fact, one person is quoted as thinking that a television character who is private about having cancer is not believable character. "Turning Cancer, Other Diseases, Into Causes" discusses changes in society's attitude over the past few decades regarding sharing diagnoses and promoting disease awareness.
As I write this blog entry, I wonder if you might find me hypocritical for claiming privacy since I write a blog. My blog began as a way to share what was happening in my life with a few close friends so I wouldn't have to call everyone every time something new happened. As my medical adventures have began to die down, I've wondered if keeping the blog going was necessary. My psychologist encourages me to write a journal as a form of therapy, and this blog is my cancer journal.
And I keep my blog public, just in case someone out there, maybe recently diagnosed with breast cancer, worrying that they may be alone, possibly overwhelmed by a scary sea of rah-rah pink.
22 August 2010
Please Vote!
Please vote for Casting for Recovery in the Pepsi-gives-away-money contest. The deadline for votes is August 31, and you may vote once a day. Thanks!
Click here (or on the widget below) to vote.
Thanks!
Click here (or on the widget below) to vote.
Thanks!
05 August 2010
Not so into sharing
According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, the Susan G. Komen For the Cure foundation will fight you if you want to use the term "for the cure." Komen also won't share the color pink. Gee if only it seemed like Komen did more than raise awareness of Komen, I might feel differently about their possessiveness. Komen won't share the phrase or the colors with other breast cancer organizations nor will they share with other cancer foundations and charities. In case you haven't read all of my posts, I'm not so into the pink brigade. I understand the issue from a business/branding angle, but you would think a charity would be a little more understanding. Than again, what do I know?
"Charity Brawl: Nonprofits Aren't So Generous When a Name's at Stake." Wall Street Journal, 8/5/2010. Accessed online on 8/5/2010: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703700904575390950178142586.html?mod=WSJ_business_LeftSecondHighlights#articleTabs%3Darticle
P.S. I'm still recovering from my surgery so my brain is not totally functional otherwise I would probably have a lot more to say about this topic.
"Charity Brawl: Nonprofits Aren't So Generous When a Name's at Stake." Wall Street Journal, 8/5/2010. Accessed online on 8/5/2010: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703700904575390950178142586.html?mod=WSJ_business_LeftSecondHighlights#articleTabs%3Darticle
P.S. I'm still recovering from my surgery so my brain is not totally functional otherwise I would probably have a lot more to say about this topic.
16 April 2010
Another "Awareness" Campaign
My friend Alex reminded me this morning about the latest in horrifying breast cancer awareness campaigns: KFC's Buckets for the Cure, so I just had to share it with you. For every pink bucket of chicken a consumer purchases, KFC will donate 50 cents to Komen. You can promote for them via your Facebook page (I think not) or submit you personal breast cancer story to their website (again I think not). The web page is very pink. It makes me feel kind of nauseous.
While buckets of chicken don't quite scream breast cancer to me, it could never replace the target pistol in my heart as the oddest breast cancer awareness/fundraiser promotion.
P.S. The personal irony of the chicken campaign for breast cancer for me is, since chemo, I no longer eat much chicken. One time during a chemo session, I ate a chicken ceasar salad, and I haven't been same about chicken ever since.
While buckets of chicken don't quite scream breast cancer to me, it could never replace the target pistol in my heart as the oddest breast cancer awareness/fundraiser promotion.
P.S. The personal irony of the chicken campaign for breast cancer for me is, since chemo, I no longer eat much chicken. One time during a chemo session, I ate a chicken ceasar salad, and I haven't been same about chicken ever since.
20 February 2010
FYI OMG
Earlier this week, I learned about the OMG! Cancer Summit for Young Adults. The 3rd annual conference will be held on May 23, 2010 in New York on the campus of Pace University. The event sounds like a wonderful opportunity to meet other young people who share similar cancer-related concerns. The day-long event will offer networking opportunities and host different panel discussions. Panel topics of high interest to me are on fertility issues and living life after cancer, but also listed on the agenda are conversations on employment/insurance, sex & relationships, and social media advocacy. Well known names in the young person's cancer world, including Kairol Rosenthal, author of Everything Changes: The Insider's Guide to Cancer in Your 20s and 30s and Matthew Zachary, founder of I'm Too Young For This!, are highlighted as panel participants, I don't know if I will be able to attend, but I am most definitely considering it.
To learn more about OMG! 2010 go to http://omgsummit.org/2010/index.html. Registration begins on April 5.
To learn more about OMG! 2010 go to http://omgsummit.org/2010/index.html. Registration begins on April 5.
08 January 2010
Blue, Yellow, White, Nude, Whatever
Someone please explain to me how announcing the color of one's bra on Facebook is raising awareness of breast cancer. As someone who has had breast cancer, I actually find the activity offensive. And since last night, every time I log on to Facebook, I find another color posted as someone's status update, and get enraged all over again. Who comes up with these ideas?
On a personal note, I can't even where a normal bra yet. I wear white medical bras, which resemble sports bras, but clasp in the front. Very sexy. Very. Hopefully, my breasts will be able to handle wearing normal bras sometime soon, but I have no idea when. So even if I didn't have all of my pent-up anger towards cancer, I'd still feel left out right now because I can't wear a real bra. Thanks for reminding me, whoever you are who thought this bra color update was a good idea.
Maybe I am alone in my rage. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I am. I find most breast cancer awareness activities superficial. Why don't we discuss the causes of breast cancer and the effects of breast cancer on our persons and our society rather than wearing pink and feeling smug? Or posting the color of our bras? What the fuck does that do?
On a personal note, I can't even where a normal bra yet. I wear white medical bras, which resemble sports bras, but clasp in the front. Very sexy. Very. Hopefully, my breasts will be able to handle wearing normal bras sometime soon, but I have no idea when. So even if I didn't have all of my pent-up anger towards cancer, I'd still feel left out right now because I can't wear a real bra. Thanks for reminding me, whoever you are who thought this bra color update was a good idea.
Maybe I am alone in my rage. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I am. I find most breast cancer awareness activities superficial. Why don't we discuss the causes of breast cancer and the effects of breast cancer on our persons and our society rather than wearing pink and feeling smug? Or posting the color of our bras? What the fuck does that do?
08 December 2008
And the winner is...
Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry in the "October Surprise" contest. I apologize for the delay in announcing the winner. All of the entries were delightful. Without your help, I would never have learned about the existence of the Warriors in Pink Mustang or pink hair extensions or pink paper towels or pinkly decorated moisturizer bottles, and even pink tic tacs. You simply cannot escape the pink during the month of October. The color pink can be found just about anywhere promoting all kinds of merchandise. So from among all of these wonderfully crazy submissions, I have chosen a winner.
And the winner is... Nanette! She submitted the Julie Goloski Military & Police Pistol. To read the more about the gun and its design, check out Julie Goloski's blog. I really can't believe this item exists. I also love that the ad says that some money will be donated to a "breast cancer awareness charity." Is it just me, or is the phrasing of that statement extremely vague?
Why did I choose Nanette's entry? Because she found an item that raises money for a breast cancer organization by promoting an item designed to kill people. I'm not really sure what else to say. The concept of the pink gun stuns me.
Nanette has a choice of prizes: a weekend in Ohio! (travel to/from Ohio not included) or a t-shirt from the college where I work. If she chooses to visit Ohio, we might even be able arrange for an afternoon at a local shooting range.
And the winner is... Nanette! She submitted the Julie Goloski Military & Police Pistol. To read the more about the gun and its design, check out Julie Goloski's blog. I really can't believe this item exists. I also love that the ad says that some money will be donated to a "breast cancer awareness charity." Is it just me, or is the phrasing of that statement extremely vague?
Why did I choose Nanette's entry? Because she found an item that raises money for a breast cancer organization by promoting an item designed to kill people. I'm not really sure what else to say. The concept of the pink gun stuns me.
Nanette has a choice of prizes: a weekend in Ohio! (travel to/from Ohio not included) or a t-shirt from the college where I work. If she chooses to visit Ohio, we might even be able arrange for an afternoon at a local shooting range.
30 September 2008
Happy October!
AKA Breast Cancer Awareness Month
I must say that our corporate friends are really jumping on board to promote breast cancer awareness. Last month, while in Target, following one of my post-surgical appointments, I found an end-cap (might have even been 2) covered in pink kitchen appliances. Just what I need, a pink can opener! Doesn't Dyson makes a pink vacuum? The grocery store even has pink boxes of cereal (is it Cheerios, I can't remember).
My October issue of Real Simple published an article on breast cancer basics and ran plenty o' pink ribbon ads. I'm sure many other women's magazines did the same. Unfortunately, I am not in the mood for breast cancer awareness to be plastered everywhere. I'd like to leave my house to buy some milk & toilet paper, or read a magazine, and not be reminded.
I would also like to complain about this exploding marketing trend of pushing pink stuff but I can't because the marketing of this disease helps raise awareness, which raises money, which helps the medical community do further research, which is assisting my doctors and their teams with keeping me alive.
A friend of mine recently recommended to me an author who contributes to a blog which has entertained me with its witty sarcasm towards the commercialness of the breast cancer awareness month. So instead of complaining, I will share The Stupid Cancer Blog with you. Enjoy!
I must say that our corporate friends are really jumping on board to promote breast cancer awareness. Last month, while in Target, following one of my post-surgical appointments, I found an end-cap (might have even been 2) covered in pink kitchen appliances. Just what I need, a pink can opener! Doesn't Dyson makes a pink vacuum? The grocery store even has pink boxes of cereal (is it Cheerios, I can't remember).
My October issue of Real Simple published an article on breast cancer basics and ran plenty o' pink ribbon ads. I'm sure many other women's magazines did the same. Unfortunately, I am not in the mood for breast cancer awareness to be plastered everywhere. I'd like to leave my house to buy some milk & toilet paper, or read a magazine, and not be reminded.
I would also like to complain about this exploding marketing trend of pushing pink stuff but I can't because the marketing of this disease helps raise awareness, which raises money, which helps the medical community do further research, which is assisting my doctors and their teams with keeping me alive.
A friend of mine recently recommended to me an author who contributes to a blog which has entertained me with its witty sarcasm towards the commercialness of the breast cancer awareness month. So instead of complaining, I will share The Stupid Cancer Blog with you. Enjoy!
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