Pink??????

Betsydoglover
Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi all -

I don't really have an issue with all the pink / breast cancer stuff. I'm sure it has helped with research in that disease. Maybe I am slightly jealous - we need more advocates out there for our disease, but that doesn't make pink pieplates etc bad. So, that is not what this is about.

Last week I received a JC Penny catalog in the mail. There was a 2-page spread of PINK cookware, mixers, blenders etc. Looking at the fine print there was no statement that purchasing any of these items in any way benefits breast cancer research, but the implication was CLEAR - so much in the culture at this point that is doesn't need to be stated. So now apparently the REAL rip-off artists have moved in!

Outrageous that the exploiters are out there ready to take advantage of our disease(s). I wouldn't wish cancer on anyone, BUT if I would, I would wish it on the con artist who thought PINK could capitalize on suffering in order to make profits!

UGH!!

Betsy (who is really PO'd the more she thinks about this!)
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Comments

  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    #2
    It may not bother anyone here, but Race for the Cure donates a portion of their proceeds to Planned Parenthood. This portion goes to the Planned Parenthood general fund which can be used for anything, including abortions. Just thought it was important to know where our money goes when we give. Maybe the color for colon cancer needs to be green to remind people to give money.
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #3
    jams67 said:

    It may not bother anyone here, but Race for the Cure donates a portion of their proceeds to Planned Parenthood. This portion goes to the Planned Parenthood general fund which can be used for anything, including abortions. Just thought it was important to know where our money goes when we give. Maybe the color for colon cancer needs to be green to remind people to give money.

    Regardless of your opinions on abortion or anything else, I think it is worth thinking about that when you give $$$ to "secondary organizations", the money can end up anywhere, not just where you think it will go.

    FYI - and don't mean to start a war - I love ACS because of this website, but my oncologist is not a big fan. In her experience, ACS always wants money, but when she has a patient in serious financial need, they are never (or at least very rarely) able to help. When she has patients who want to "donate to cancer", she tells them to give $$ to some local org which helps transport cancer patients (or the like) - she doesn't believe that a high percentage of ACS money actually reaches patients. Just sharing a thought, and I am sure there are valid counter-arguments, but this woman - at least - has some negative experiences.

    Betsy
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #4
    ya know, Betsy, I have to agree with you, but i would make two points:

    1. I have helped out with Koman events in the past and they will not even acknowledge survivors if they aren't BC survivors. I will grant you that the event is clearly for BC, but jeez... c'mon folks, no need to give a survivor a gift bag, but at least acknowledge that the person is in the same damn fight.

    2. While I think it would be great to support colon cancer awareness by using "our color" with various day-to-day stuff, maybe cooking utensiles isn't really good form!

    Have a great Sunday (cold & rainy on my side of town - just folding laundry in front of the fireplace while watching football).

    - SB
    - SB
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #5
    spongebob said:

    ya know, Betsy, I have to agree with you, but i would make two points:

    1. I have helped out with Koman events in the past and they will not even acknowledge survivors if they aren't BC survivors. I will grant you that the event is clearly for BC, but jeez... c'mon folks, no need to give a survivor a gift bag, but at least acknowledge that the person is in the same damn fight.

    2. While I think it would be great to support colon cancer awareness by using "our color" with various day-to-day stuff, maybe cooking utensiles isn't really good form!

    Have a great Sunday (cold & rainy on my side of town - just folding laundry in front of the fireplace while watching football).

    - SB
    - SB

    Hi Bob -

    Cold and rainy here too - and we just built a fire in the wood stove - too lazy to fold laundry, however (though that's what I should be doing!)

    Betsy
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #6
    Betsydoglover said:

    Hi Bob -

    Cold and rainy here too - and we just built a fire in the wood stove - too lazy to fold laundry, however (though that's what I should be doing!)

    Betsy

    I figured you had the same weather - I believe you're about 1/4 the way around the Beltway from me - you're up near College Park, right?
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #7
    spongebob said:

    I figured you had the same weather - I believe you're about 1/4 the way around the Beltway from me - you're up near College Park, right?

    Silver Spring - but close enough. The weather sucks today (but could you beat Friday or Saturday????)

    B
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #8
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #9
    Betsydoglover said:

    Silver Spring - but close enough. The weather sucks today (but could you beat Friday or Saturday????)

    B

    OK... 1/2 way around the Beltway - I work in downtown SS - across Wayne Ave from the Discovery Channel Building. Great location - especially at lunchtime, and I'm only 2 blocks from the Metro and the gym. Gonna miss it come next summer!

    I was off Friday and Saturday, but promised some friends who own a western store in Laurel I would help them out during a sale - so i was stuck inside from 11-7 (UGH). I should raked leaves today, but needless to say that didn't happen!
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #10
    Actually, I look HORRIBLE in pink...I DEFINATLY got the wrong cancer (my second, after rectal)....pink makes me just look FAT!!!!!

    When people ask where they can donate, I suggest the local treatment facilities, such as the one that treated me. Naturally, it is associated with a hospital, but there are some programs that it does purely off of donations. And the money goes directly into that pot. If you are wise about where you donate, and investigate how much actually goes where, that is the key!

    That said, ACS has it's place...without it, some of the best lobbying in DC would not be done. It also has other programs, such as Reach for Recovery, Man to Man, and Road to Recovery (rides for people that can't get to appointments.). It IS heavy on administration, but without it, I'm afraid that some of the stuff done, won't get done.

    Hugs, Kathi
  • kerry
    kerry Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #11
    Betsydoglover said:

    Regardless of your opinions on abortion or anything else, I think it is worth thinking about that when you give $$$ to "secondary organizations", the money can end up anywhere, not just where you think it will go.

    FYI - and don't mean to start a war - I love ACS because of this website, but my oncologist is not a big fan. In her experience, ACS always wants money, but when she has a patient in serious financial need, they are never (or at least very rarely) able to help. When she has patients who want to "donate to cancer", she tells them to give $$ to some local org which helps transport cancer patients (or the like) - she doesn't believe that a high percentage of ACS money actually reaches patients. Just sharing a thought, and I am sure there are valid counter-arguments, but this woman - at least - has some negative experiences.

    Betsy

    Hi Betsy,

    I know what you mean about giving and not knowing where your money is going. I wasn't going to reply at first and then I just got a telemarketing call about giving to a charity that grants children's wishes (not Make-A-Wish) because the child is dying. Well, that kind of got my ire up! Mainly because telemarketing companies get up to 80% of the money received.

    I will have to say though, without the American Cancer Society there may not be as much awareness of cancer out there. It takes lots of money to do the publicity, provide this web site and all the support they provide. It may not go directly to research, etc., but I believe their main interest right now is AWARENESS and patient support and promoting research. They do provide resources and comfort and lots of information to us all.

    We wouldn't even be here discussing this if it weren't for the ACS.

    There are many research organizations or cancer treatment centers that direct donations may be given to, but they don't provide the support, resources and general information that the ASC does. It takes money, lots of money to do what they do. And if I'm not mistaken, most of the folks here make the comment "I don't know what I'd do without this site".

    Enough said. I'm very thankful to the ACS and to all other organizations that promote and support our cancer awareness and fight.

    The main message is: Be aware of where you donations go. Sometimes you can designate specific area, i.e. the United Waylets you designate specific areas where you want your donation to go.

    Also,I was not aware that the Race for the Cure gave to Planned Parenthood, or why in the world they would. But I can assure you I will find out. I have run that race for 5 years now and have never found anything but caring and devoted people.

    I believe lots of money reaches us here at this site!

    How many of you all donate???? Or do we just complain and take advantage of services??

    Be well everyone!

    Kerry
  • oneagleswings
    oneagleswings Member Posts: 425 Member
    #12
    I hate PINK...yes//I said it and I hope a lightening bolt does not strike...my dear sister- in- law did the "weekend to end breast cancer "..raised in excess of $6000 and then she was crushed when I pointed out that MANY MANY fewer people die of breast cancer than colon cancer (she thought I was lieing and when I showed her stats..she is now trying to raise funds for colon cancer...I posted earlier (and I was not trying to be flippant) but a VP of a major pharma company said it is tough to be inflicted with colon cancer..that it is not a "sexy" cancer and therefore does not command the major research dollars..
    I personally will not give money to any "pink" campaign and instead ear-mark my dollars to Wellspring or any charity that help ALL cancer patients...
    Bev
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610 Member
    #13
    spongebob said:

    OK... 1/2 way around the Beltway - I work in downtown SS - across Wayne Ave from the Discovery Channel Building. Great location - especially at lunchtime, and I'm only 2 blocks from the Metro and the gym. Gonna miss it come next summer!

    I was off Friday and Saturday, but promised some friends who own a western store in Laurel I would help them out during a sale - so i was stuck inside from 11-7 (UGH). I should raked leaves today, but needless to say that didn't happen!

    Great location at lunchtime because?????
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #14
    usakat said:

    Great location at lunchtime because?????

    Because of all the crucnchy granola, Birkenstock-wearing, sans make-up, whale hugging co-eds, of course! No, actually because of all of the really great little restaurants within a block of the office (although I still usually take my lunch or order a tuna on wheat at Subway and eat at my desk. What I need is a girlfriend who will meet me for lunch and give me a reason to leave the office for an hour!
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610 Member
    #15
    spongebob said:

    Because of all the crucnchy granola, Birkenstock-wearing, sans make-up, whale hugging co-eds, of course! No, actually because of all of the really great little restaurants within a block of the office (although I still usually take my lunch or order a tuna on wheat at Subway and eat at my desk. What I need is a girlfriend who will meet me for lunch and give me a reason to leave the office for an hour!

    I should have known that a sailor would like the whale-hugging type, but I thought you had a girlfriend? And what is the name of that construction company across the street?
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #16
    kerry said:

    Hi Betsy,

    I know what you mean about giving and not knowing where your money is going. I wasn't going to reply at first and then I just got a telemarketing call about giving to a charity that grants children's wishes (not Make-A-Wish) because the child is dying. Well, that kind of got my ire up! Mainly because telemarketing companies get up to 80% of the money received.

    I will have to say though, without the American Cancer Society there may not be as much awareness of cancer out there. It takes lots of money to do the publicity, provide this web site and all the support they provide. It may not go directly to research, etc., but I believe their main interest right now is AWARENESS and patient support and promoting research. They do provide resources and comfort and lots of information to us all.

    We wouldn't even be here discussing this if it weren't for the ACS.

    There are many research organizations or cancer treatment centers that direct donations may be given to, but they don't provide the support, resources and general information that the ASC does. It takes money, lots of money to do what they do. And if I'm not mistaken, most of the folks here make the comment "I don't know what I'd do without this site".

    Enough said. I'm very thankful to the ACS and to all other organizations that promote and support our cancer awareness and fight.

    The main message is: Be aware of where you donations go. Sometimes you can designate specific area, i.e. the United Waylets you designate specific areas where you want your donation to go.

    Also,I was not aware that the Race for the Cure gave to Planned Parenthood, or why in the world they would. But I can assure you I will find out. I have run that race for 5 years now and have never found anything but caring and devoted people.

    I believe lots of money reaches us here at this site!

    How many of you all donate???? Or do we just complain and take advantage of services??

    Be well everyone!

    Kerry

    hi Kerry -

    I really am not ragging on the ACS, just making a comment that I heard from my oncologist. I so appreciate this message board and it would not be here without ACS funding. I appreciate that.

    The pink kitchenware at JC Penney really bugged me cuz it was clear that no fine print indicated cancer contributions, but the in your face message was obviously intended for you to think that.

    Be well, all,
    Betsy
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #17
    usakat said:

    I should have known that a sailor would like the whale-hugging type, but I thought you had a girlfriend? And what is the name of that construction company across the street?

    Of course I have a girlfriend - I'm a sailor; one in every port... but I believe you may know her. As for the construction company across the street, I can't recall the name, but I promise I'll have it for you before you move back to DC in January, sweetie! Now... I'm off to chase a mermaid! (OK... let's see if people still read these posts when they're a couple days old and near the bottom of page 1...!)
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #18
    spongebob said:

    Of course I have a girlfriend - I'm a sailor; one in every port... but I believe you may know her. As for the construction company across the street, I can't recall the name, but I promise I'll have it for you before you move back to DC in January, sweetie! Now... I'm off to chase a mermaid! (OK... let's see if people still read these posts when they're a couple days old and near the bottom of page 1...!)

    'K, Bob - I do read these!

    Living in Silver Spring, I know about the Birkenstock ladies etc. But, mostly it is just a place to have lunch (and much nicer place in spite of chains than it was a few years ago.)

    Hey, maybe we could have lunch at one of those chains some day. (Where is your office?)

    B
  • kerry
    kerry Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #19
    spongebob said:

    Of course I have a girlfriend - I'm a sailor; one in every port... but I believe you may know her. As for the construction company across the street, I can't recall the name, but I promise I'll have it for you before you move back to DC in January, sweetie! Now... I'm off to chase a mermaid! (OK... let's see if people still read these posts when they're a couple days old and near the bottom of page 1...!)

    Mermaids and Whales???????

    K
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #20
    Betsydoglover said:

    'K, Bob - I do read these!

    Living in Silver Spring, I know about the Birkenstock ladies etc. But, mostly it is just a place to have lunch (and much nicer place in spite of chains than it was a few years ago.)

    Hey, maybe we could have lunch at one of those chains some day. (Where is your office?)

    B

    Uh-Oh,Katie... looks like we're busted... secret's out! See the new addition to my Gallery Page...

    Betsy, I work at 8484 Georgia Ave, literally across Wayne Ave from Discovery Channel. I have a weekly staff meeting in DC, but I'm usually available for lunch most any other day of the week unless I'm on travel. Maybe when Katie relocates to DC we can all 3 go out for lunch. We had dinner with Kathi M when I was out in LA, and Katie was remarkably well-behaved in public!

    - Bob
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #21
    spongebob said:

    Uh-Oh,Katie... looks like we're busted... secret's out! See the new addition to my Gallery Page...

    Betsy, I work at 8484 Georgia Ave, literally across Wayne Ave from Discovery Channel. I have a weekly staff meeting in DC, but I'm usually available for lunch most any other day of the week unless I'm on travel. Maybe when Katie relocates to DC we can all 3 go out for lunch. We had dinner with Kathi M when I was out in LA, and Katie was remarkably well-behaved in public!

    - Bob

    Stop it, dad....Katie is better behaved that OTHER people at the table!!!! Get him, Katie!!!!

    Hugs, Kathi

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