Komen and Pink and Law Suits
Posted 2/28/2011
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At the start, I want to say that I personally have had wonderful experiences with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. I was one of the first (sharing the honor with Patricia Ganz, MD) Hatcher Survivorship Professors, and that grant enabled me to write my book. I have spoken at several of their conferences and always enjoyed them. Komen gives more research grants towards breast cancer science than any other source other than the federal government.
Having said that, it has been increasingly disturbing to experience the wash of pink each October and to notice that it oozes into other months. The Komen pink ribbon and foundation name on so many products feels like stale marketing.
Then, I received this email yesterday from a trusted friend. I urge you to read the Huffington Post essay and to think about this issue:
I admit - I (and others in the cancer non-profit world) have always had issues with Susan G Komen in terms of them being the gorilla in the non-profit world of cancer, as well as what can be considered some questionable cause-related marketing - but I participated in The Race for The Cure a few times and have certainly one way or another supported them - and considered their work important - There are a number of articles and NPR pieces and even Steven Colbert criticism you can find if you google this - so it is, sadly, very true.
It is a reminder to all of us to research every organization we give a penny to and make sure that our money is going to what we intended it for and not anything like this - and especially in October - think before you pink!
I am open to any ideas that might change my mind!
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