Fuck the Pink Ribbon Campaign

Now that October is coming to an end, I feel somewhat safer in launching into a diatribe based on my feelings about the ubiquitous pink ribbon. To spare those gentle readers who are sensitive to any thought of someone - especially someone entering the final stages of breast cancer - dissing the program, I'll cut to the chase: It ain't about finding a cure, it ain't about helping people in need, it's all about money and always will be.

Think about it. So many companies are making a tidy profit over the sales of items coloured Pepto Dismal pink that there is little incentive to slow their marketing efforts. How much money from the sale of a pink high-end dough mixer do you really think makes it to the charity? With everything from toilet paper to garden tools and everything beyond and in between, how many of those companies would be producing any of this crap if they weren't certain of making a profit - profit based on public fear of a disease and all its implications.

If there is such a concerted effort to eradicate cancer, why are the efforts being constantly divided by competing charities at the federal, provincial and local levels? Why not one umbrella group with local representation? Why are there separate agencies/foundations for general cancer and for every separate flavour of the disease? Breast cancer groups seem to be the most prolific. Is that because tits are sexier than, say, bowels? Is it because no self-respecting Mad Man would launch a campaign based on something as close to home as testicles, but happily encourages the plastering of breasts or words pertaining to same at every possible opportunity because if they can't grope them they can at least enjoy gawking?

I find it very, very difficult to believe that the total annual administrative costs for the BC Cancer Foundation (or any of the other national, provincial or local agencies) is well under $3,000. Is NOBODY paid a salary? If not, anyone contributing to these organizations is also contributing to individual poverty of the employees thereof. Volunteers would be risking a great deal if they are the only ones responsible for the intake and distributing of such large amounts of funding.

If so much is going to finding a cure, why do the people I know who work at the BC Cancer Agency's research centre find their work increasingly jeopardized by lack of funding? Why are research projects into some forms of the disease given regular support - i.e. those with the higher public profiles - while others receive next to no funding whatsoever?

And what about the people who have/had cancer but will die of other causes? Even someone with as poor a grasp of mathematics as me can see that more people live with the disease than die of it. Why aren't they and their families getting better access to counselling? Assistance with drug costs? Other support that doesn't come cheaply?

Also, why is so much money being wasted on "special gifts" to donors - crap like address return labels, personalized note pads, pocket date books? It is highly doubtful that such a "gift" will entice someone to give if they aren't already inclined to do so. If these items are given in return for a tax receipt to the printers/producers of the offending items, surely cancer patients, their families, and the landfill would be happier to see a direct donation instead. In short, that money could be far better spent elsewhere.

In my mind, the most blatant example of waste - and insult - comes in the form of Vim & Vigour magazine. For those unfamiliar with this little rag, "Vim & Vigour is the BC Cancer Foundation's quarterly publication created to provide you with the latest in health care information with a specific emphasis on cancer prevention, screening, early detection and breakthrough research being conducted right here in B.C. at the BC Cancer Agency." Really? So why are Colin Firth, Sandra Bullock, George Clooney and other beautiful people the cover kids on each issue? Are they the face of cancer? And what of the magazine's content? The latest issue trumpets its cover story this way: "A New Day: JENNIFER HUDSON makes maintaining
her new, svelte shape look easy. Here’s how she does it—and how you can, too." I have rarely come across anything so insulting, so void of feeling, so incompassionate. AND FROM THE BC CANCER FOUNDATION NO LESS!!! Don't believe me? Check out  http://bccancerfoundation.com/sites/default/files/vv_fall_2012-final.pdf

How much of those donation dollars went to pay for that crap?!

Yes, Virginia, there are scarier things about October than Halloween. Clearly Breast Cancer Awareness Month is one of them.

Since many of you have asked, I'm putting my money in my local community where it will do the most good. Charity of choice in this regard is The Ruby Slipper Fund (administered through the Sunshine Coast Credit Union). I've mentioned it before but given my growing concern about how the public is being pink-washed (much like how companies green-wash - appear to be concerned about the environment but only pay lip-service at the lowest cost to do so) feel that it is best to re-introduce the fund for anyone who didn't hear about it before. The fund has helped the local hospice society purchase a special air mattress so bed-bound patients are less likely to develop bedsores. They also help with medication costs, which can be huge (My anti-clotting drug alone costs $1000/mon, never mind the rest of my meds. What has saved me is the "terminal" diagnosis - the government picks up most of my tab, but by no means all.).

All I ask is that, next time you are approached by any foundation or agency purporting to support cancer research, get some facts about exactly where your hard-earned donation will be spent. Also ask about their specific marketing strategy. If it looks insulting and insensitive to you, just imagine how it looks to someone who could benefit from money actually going to research and patient support.

In the meantime, happy Halloween!