2011 October 01

And no, I’m not talking about the singer. Although, she is pretty darn cool.

I’m talking about Breast Cancer Awareness month. October 1st marks the beginning of a month of pink and awareness, campaigns and fundraising. I will be participating as much as possible. Although, I try to navigate the pink products with a keen eye and shrewd pocketbook. (l love throwing that word in when I can, makes me feel like I’m in the 50s.)

Here’s the thing, A lot of companies are trying to cash in on the pink. Just by coloring things pink, saying a portion of the proceeds goes to BCA, they feel they’re doing their part. And maybe so. But I will NOT be buying a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken that’s pink! They did this last year. What a joke. KFC pumps their chickens with so much crap, no one should eat it, especially if you’re trying to make any difference in the fight against cancer.

The Yoplait pink lids campaign kind of pisses me off too. 1) their yogurts contain aspartame, high fructose corn syrup and who knows what their milk contains since it’s not organic. 2) any company that makes me do the work for getting the proceeds is irritating. I’ve already bought the product for gosh sakes, now you’re making me lick lids, send them in an envelope with a stamp (who ever has a stamp when they need one?) and hope the pennies add up. No thank you. Proceeds should go towards the campaign just by buying it.

Companies I do support for the Cure- Avon, Estee Lauder, Ford, The Breast Cancer site, Ann Taylor Loft, New Balance, Susan G Komen.

The best thing would be to write a check directly to research. I did the Susan G Komen 3 Day a few years back. They raise millions of dollars with each walk. I couldn’t be more proud to say I’ve participated.

Every cancer deserves awareness and fundraising. Sadly, pediatric brain cancer (Kyle) and leukemia (Siona) have claimed lives precious to me and friends of mine. My dad is a colon cancer survivor, and my mom is in ongoing treatment for uterine cancer. Skin cancer is frighteningly common. And yes of course, breast cancer has hit close to home. My aunt Gudrun is a survivor and I have lost two girlfriends, Julie and Jessica, to this bitch of a disease. Both of them were in their 30s when diagnosed. My friend Shannon is a survivor also, and she was in her 30s during her treatment. So, get your mammograms ladies!! It’s not that bad. In fact I’ll take, 3 mammograms to every trip to the gyno. Ick. I will mention other friends of mine who have lost their moms to the disease; Jennifer, Megan…I know you miss them everyday.

If I could put a big metal chicken on breast cancer’s doorstep and tell it, “knock, knock, mother fucker”, I would.

I hope one day pink will be just a color and not a cause.