Pink Ribbons: The Downside

I. Hate. Pink. Ribbons.

There.  I said it.

There are two things I dislike about October.  I'm not fond of Halloween (although I'm mellowing a bit on that one).  I really don't like the whole pink ribbon thing. 

Hear me out.

My mom died from breast cancer.  I have skin in the game, so to speak. 

That may be why it is such a passion of mine.

People do all sorts of wonderful things to raise money for breast cancer research.  They walk.  They sell special ribbon shaped bagels.  They dress NFL players in pink.  All of it is noble.  Their motives are pure and helpful.  There are a couple of problems, though.

Some of it really helps.  It comes down to money.  Research requires money.  So selling bagels in a ribbon shape, and donating a portion of the proceeds to research is a spectacular way to raise money.

I'm still trying to figure out how dressing those poor NFL players in pink helps anything.  If I walk to Timbuktu, how is that assisting any researchers?  It's about the money I raised for the walk.  No one benefits from me starving myself, walking, running or doing back handsprings.  They benefit from the funds I raise to do so.  So, if it takes a walk, a marathon, a golf tournament, to make it a social event and that raises more money, I get it.  My real problem isn't with the nonsensical events.

My real problem is with Susan G. Komen.

See, all these wonderful people are raising money hand over fist for breast cancer research.  A HUGE amount of it goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  The Komen Foundation funds a lot of breast cancer research.  That is a noble thing.  What isn't noble, however, is that they give big chunks of money to Planned Parenthood.  Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest abortion provider.

Check out these links:
http://www.lifenews.com/2010/05/24/nat-6360/

http://liveaction.org/blog/the-susan-g-komenplanned-parenthood-connection/

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/report-susan-g-komen-donated-over-600000-to-planned-parenthood-in-2009-201/

Better yet, do the research yourself. 

Then, if you start looking at all these pink tshirts, ribbons, yogurt tops, bagels, etc., you will see the Susan G. Komen Foundation plastered everywhere.

My mom died of breast cancer.  She, and people like her, are being exploited in order to fund abortions.  That would make her sad.  It makes me angry.

Please, please continue the efforts to raise money for breast cancer research.  Six out of seven women in my mom's family had breast cancer.  My sister's and my risk is very high, as are our daughters and granddaughters.  I watched my mom fight hard, and her victory eventually came when she went to meet Jesus. 

Please, please be discerning.  Research it and be clear about where the funds are going. If you want your funds to help breast cancer, then be sure it isn't funding abortion.  At this time, I am not comfortable recommending alternative foundations, but I am researching options.