Think Before You Pink

Every October, as the leaves begin to change, everything from our drug stores to our football teams go pink. Of course, this is an astounding effort by the community—local and national—to end breast cancer.

Unfortunately, there are organizations’ that claim to care about breast cancer by promoting a pink product, but continues to manufacture products that are linked to the disease. This is known as Pinkwashing. Breast Cancer Action (BCA) encourages consumers to ask questions before purchasing pink products that allegedly donate money to breast cancer research or prevention.

BCA suggests some questions to think about before purchasing a pink product:

1. How much money from your purchase actually goes toward breast cancer? Is the amount clearly stated on the package?

            If you can’t tell how much money is being donated, or if you don’t think it’s enough, give directly to the organization instead.

2. What is the maximum amount that will be donated?

            Many companies place a cap on the amount of money that will be donated. In some cases, that cap is a generous amount. In some cases it’s not. But you should know that, whenever there is a cap, your individual purchase may not contribute anything to the cause, depending on when you shop and whether the cap has already been met.

3. How are the funds being raised?

            Does making the purchase ensure a contribution to the cause? Or do you, the shopper, have to jump through hoops to make sure the money gets where it’s supposed to go?

4. To what breast cancer organization does the money go, and what types of programs does it support?

            Does the product’s package tell you where the money goes and what will be done with it? Will the money go to fund the same studies that have been ongoing for decades (which already get enormous financial support)? Or will it go to under-funded, innovative research into the causes of breast cancer?

5. What is the company doing to assure that its products are not actually contributing to the breast cancer epidemic?

           

            Many companies that raise funds for breast cancer also make products that are linked to the disease. Many cosmetics companies whose products contain chemicals linked to breast cancer also sell their items for the cause.

Next time you see a pink ribbon on a product, make sure you ask yourself the 5 BCA questions before purchasing. Otherwise, your efforts could be disregarded. For more information on Pinkwashing and Breast Cancer Action click here..