Pink for October, Take 2

There were seven replies to my post on the Pink for October site, all of them supporting the pink ribbons. But NOT ONE of the comments is from a woman with breast cancer.

Some were from people who had had a grandmother or other relative die of breast cancer, and they said they supported the "pinking of October" for that reason. While they have my sympathy, and I understand their sadness and grief, I repeat, not one woman who is now living with breast cancer, or even a survivor, wrote in to say that she buys pink ribbon merchandise or that she feels supported or comforted by it.

The women I know who are living with breast cancer say otherwise.

One woman started a thread on the Young Survival Coalition Web site's bulletin board asking for suggestions on how to stay positive during October.

This woman, a breast cancer survivor, was DREADING Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She wrote, in part, "...Am I the only one dreading the fact that October has 31 days? Any tips on how I can stay positive and be OK with the fact that I am indeed a breast cancer survivor? ... If someone gives me a pink ribbon, I want to cry."

And a number of people who posted comments said that if I had known anyone who had breast cancer I would feel differently about pink ribbons and other pink efforts. They apparently didn't realize my situation:

I was first diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago, and it metastasized to my bones almost five years ago. I have been in continuous treatment for most of these eight years and I will continue in cancer treatment until I die. And I hate pink ribbons and the whole pinking of October. I get no comfort from this. I get no feeling of emotional support from this.

Rather, I feel exploited by companies that are making money off pink products. And I am not alone in feeling this way, check out any of the breast cancer support bulletin boards.

Enough--next year I am going to be out of the reach of all things pink during the month of October.

Read The 'Undaunted' Die Too to find out why.

@ Jeanne Sather 2006

Comments

[Maureen]

Actually you have your first reply from a breast cancer survivor, and as a surivor in the UK I do believe that pink for October has its place in raising awareness. It was as a result of a campaign that I first started checking myself for breast cancer, and only a few months later was diagnosed.

Each person must contribute to the cause as they see fit. If the pink for october month is important for them, then so be it. If its not for you, then put your energies into something else. But little can be gained for splitting the cause and degrading what others attempt to do, purely because you feel it is exploited. All causes are exploited to a certain degree these days, but their origins are by no means less valid.