October is fast approaching and along with the ghosts, goblins, scary movies and pumpkins everything (all of which I am 1000000% in support of) comes another insidious beast: the Pink Washing problem.
Now, before I get ahead of myself, let me explain what pink washing is. Everywhere you turn from October 1 to October 31 there will be pink ribbons, pink coffee cups, shoes, socks. You name it, it will be pink. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Let’s be real here. Everyone and their mother is aware of breast cancer. It’s not necessarily more awareness we need, we need a dang cure. When you buy the pink ribbon it makes you feel like you’re contributing to the cure. The problem is, pink washing. Often times more money is spent marketing about breast cancer than is actually donated to breast cancer charities. Or the products that are donating to breast cancer awareness are actually causing breast cancer.
I’m not against breast cancer awareness at all. Early detection is an amazing thing and I fully encourage all of you humans with breasts (men too!) to do monthly self breast exams. I am so grateful for the corporate funding and I’m grateful for the pink ribbon! I just want you to be careful with your money.
If you’re looking for charities to support directly, I can recommend a few. First, I love the charity Metavivor. They’re an amazing charity focused on finding a cure for Stage IV breast cancer as well as awareness about Stage IV (metastatic breast cancer). Stage IV needs more funding for research and finding the cure. ForeHer is a local charity started by one of our very own bloggers, Amy Walsh. This local charity helps breast cancer patients financially that are actively going through treatments. Finally, The Breasties is a community for women in all stages of the breast cancer journey. It’s where I personally found my community as a previvor. There are chapters all over the country (and world) where you can not only find support and meet your people but attend retreats and even Camp Breastie.
During October you’ll be constantly reminded that it’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. Look beyond the pink and consider donating directly to charities that are actively striving to find a cure to this disease that many of us are all to aware of. I’m grateful for Breast Cancer Awareness month but we need more than just awareness. We need a cure.
