Some Efforts to Raise Funds for Breast Cancer Not Truthful
Jada Smith
10/23/07
Nation & World
Nation & World
- Page 1 of 1
Breast Cancer Awareness Month, recognized during October, is dedicated to enhancing the public's awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer.
Because many people who have been affected by breast cancer directly or indirectly choose to donate to the cause, many companies sponsor "pink ribbon products and promotions" campaigns claiming to support research centers and supportive organizations.
But the Breast Cancer Action (BCA) center is trying to inform consumers that the profits raised from these campaigns may be doing very little to fund breast cancer research.
Katrina Kahl, a communications associate for BCA, said that the Think Before You Pink campaign hopes to encourage people to make more informed decisions about the pink products they buy this month.
"The campaign is essentially a consumer education campaign," Kahl said. "We're asking people to think more critically about buying the products on the market and making sure these people aren't contributing to breast cancer themselves."
The BCA said that companies who manufacture goods that produce synthetic chemicals contradict themselves when supporting breast cancer health awareness.
A recent study done by the Breast Cancer Fund reported that exposure to synthetic chemicals has contributed to the risk of developing breast cancer than assumed.
"Companies such as Ford, BMW and Mercedes urge customers to buy or drive cars in the name of breast cancer, when they are contributing to the disease," Kahl said. "They should go a step further if they really want to support the cause. They just need to step it up."
Ford, BMW and Mercedes are among the car companies that are donating a percentage of their profits to breast cancer research if the customer either purchases or test drives a car.
The BCA refers to October as Breast Cancer Industry Month because of the notion that companies are promoting the cause only to boost their image and their profits.
Many of the companies sponsoring campaigns report unclear statements as to where exactly the money from the pink products goes.
"We want people to ask questions," Kahl said. "If they feel satisfied with the answers, by all means, purchase the product. If not, just donate directly to the organization doing the research."
Kahl also cited the instance of the jewelry company, Cartier who, 10 years ago, put a $3,900 "pink watch" on the market where a percentage of proceeds would go to Breast Cancer research.
The company neglected to tell customers that after the first $30,000 was made from the sale of watches, the money would no longer be going to cancer research.
Keri Thomas, a sophomore pre-pharmacy major, said that hidden information or untruthful tactics used to make money in the name of breast cancer is deplorable.
"If you say you're raising money for breast cancer, you should donate your money to breast cancer and nowhere else," she said. "It's bogus to try and use a serious illness to make money for yourself. That's just real dirty."
The main thing BCA wants to stress to consumers is to ask questions.
"First, what does it mean to donate? Second, going toward research doesn't mean much. What kind of breast cancer research? Who's doing it? Please, make sure your money is going somewhere worthwhile," Kahl said.
The BCA says to ask six questions before supporting a company raising money for breast cancer:
1. How much money from your purchase actually goes toward breast cancer?
2. What is the maximum amount that will be donated?
3. How much money was spent marketing the product?
4. How are the funds being raised?
5. To what breast cancer organization does the money go?
6. What types of programs does it support, and what is the company doing to assure that its products are not contributing the breast cancer epidemic?
For more information to make informed decisions, visit
Because many people who have been affected by breast cancer directly or indirectly choose to donate to the cause, many companies sponsor "pink ribbon products and promotions" campaigns claiming to support research centers and supportive organizations.
But the Breast Cancer Action (BCA) center is trying to inform consumers that the profits raised from these campaigns may be doing very little to fund breast cancer research.
Katrina Kahl, a communications associate for BCA, said that the Think Before You Pink campaign hopes to encourage people to make more informed decisions about the pink products they buy this month.
"The campaign is essentially a consumer education campaign," Kahl said. "We're asking people to think more critically about buying the products on the market and making sure these people aren't contributing to breast cancer themselves."
The BCA said that companies who manufacture goods that produce synthetic chemicals contradict themselves when supporting breast cancer health awareness.
A recent study done by the Breast Cancer Fund reported that exposure to synthetic chemicals has contributed to the risk of developing breast cancer than assumed.
"Companies such as Ford, BMW and Mercedes urge customers to buy or drive cars in the name of breast cancer, when they are contributing to the disease," Kahl said. "They should go a step further if they really want to support the cause. They just need to step it up."
Ford, BMW and Mercedes are among the car companies that are donating a percentage of their profits to breast cancer research if the customer either purchases or test drives a car.
The BCA refers to October as Breast Cancer Industry Month because of the notion that companies are promoting the cause only to boost their image and their profits.
Many of the companies sponsoring campaigns report unclear statements as to where exactly the money from the pink products goes.
"We want people to ask questions," Kahl said. "If they feel satisfied with the answers, by all means, purchase the product. If not, just donate directly to the organization doing the research."
Kahl also cited the instance of the jewelry company, Cartier who, 10 years ago, put a $3,900 "pink watch" on the market where a percentage of proceeds would go to Breast Cancer research.
The company neglected to tell customers that after the first $30,000 was made from the sale of watches, the money would no longer be going to cancer research.
Keri Thomas, a sophomore pre-pharmacy major, said that hidden information or untruthful tactics used to make money in the name of breast cancer is deplorable.
"If you say you're raising money for breast cancer, you should donate your money to breast cancer and nowhere else," she said. "It's bogus to try and use a serious illness to make money for yourself. That's just real dirty."
The main thing BCA wants to stress to consumers is to ask questions.
"First, what does it mean to donate? Second, going toward research doesn't mean much. What kind of breast cancer research? Who's doing it? Please, make sure your money is going somewhere worthwhile," Kahl said.
The BCA says to ask six questions before supporting a company raising money for breast cancer:
1. How much money from your purchase actually goes toward breast cancer?
2. What is the maximum amount that will be donated?
3. How much money was spent marketing the product?
4. How are the funds being raised?
5. To what breast cancer organization does the money go?
6. What types of programs does it support, and what is the company doing to assure that its products are not contributing the breast cancer epidemic?
For more information to make informed decisions, visit
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