something to pink about

as you all probably know by now, october is breast cancer awareness month. and in honor of all those who have fought the good fight against this dreaded disease, including my mother who's been symptom-free for over 20 years now, i've decided to turn my blogsite pink. but it'll only be until the end of this month, because honestly, the barbie look just isn't me :)

as has been the tradition for a number of years now, besides the usual public service announcements about the importance of breast examinations and routine mammograms, there will be all kinds of pink-ribboned items for sale this month, with a portion of the proceeds going towards breast cancer research.

recently, i came across the breast cancer action website. its think before you pink project urges everyone to do something contrary to what corporations have been conditioning us to do, which is:

THIS OCTOBER,
DO SOMETHING BESIDES SHOP FOR BREAST CANCER

here's more information about the campaign:

Think Before You Pink launched in 2002 in response to the growing concern about the overwhelming number of pink ribbon products and promotions on the market. The campaign calls for more transparency and accountability by companies that take part in breast cancer fundraising, and encourages consumers to ask critical questions about pink ribbon promotions.

Think Before You Pink also highlights “pinkwashers”—companies that purport to care about breast cancer by promoting a pink ribbon campaign, but manufacture products that are linked to the disease.

Breast Cancer Action urges you to ask some critical questions before opening your wallet for pink-ribbon campaigns:

~ How much money from your purchase actually goes to the cause?
~ What is the maximum amount that will be donated?
~ How much money was spent marketing the product?
~ How are the funds being raised?
~ To what breast cancer organization does the money go, and what types of programs does it support?
~ What is the company doing to assure that its products are not contributing to the breast cancer epidemic?

so before you plunk down your hard-earned paycheck to buy a pink edition mustang to show your support for the cause, you might want to find out how much of your money will actually go to breast cancer research. then donate that amount directly to a charity instead, because honestly, can you see yourself driving around town with a pink-trimmed V6 gas-guzzler? i didn't think so...