Brace yourselves for Pink

[jjlist]

http://www.standup2cancer.org

[RayGirl]

Use some the power of the Pink. Our office does the jeans day every year. We have a very strict dress code men are required to wear ties and women hose! So jeans are a big deal. So last year on the day I marched in to HR department and asked "Can we do the same for CRC? Then I forwarded all the information to the them about Dress in Blue day. It took several months, but I finally heard back that they were going to do Dress in Blue too!

After they announced the day, several people in the other office started thanking the President, because they had been caregivers to a CRC patient. Now that they realize so many of us have been impacted, they have agreed to do it as a annual thing.

[SkiFletch]

In 2010 breast cancer received $891 million worth of federal funding, more than DOUBLE the funding of the next closest prostate cancer at $399 million. Yet more cases with prostate cancer were diagnosed than breast cancer. It's such a talked-about topic that when I start typing in Breast Cancer Funding, google finishes my search and adds "vs other cancers" into it for me.

[babs249]

Yeah, this year it sort of snuck up on me. Pink time again, I thought we just had it! Now don't get me wrong, both my sisters had breast cancer, and one died from it. There have been a number of women on one side of the family with it. The other side of the family has colon cancer, and that's the side I have taken after (so far). It is a little hard to see all the pink though, while we are still somewhat in the closet. And now, my husband will soon be undergoing a biopsy for prostate cancer, so that's another somewhat ignored disease we might have to confront.

I agree with those of you who have said you don't like seeing all the manufacturers, retailers, etc. that are getting in on the act with the whole pink thing. Now I see a grocery store selling a pink reusable grocery bag! Enough! It's a lot more effective to actually donate to finding a cure, no matter the disease. That's what I prefer to do. I donate right to Dana Farber/Jimmy Fund here in Mass. I do the same with the other causes I support, like the Alzeheimer's Association - no buying purple products for me for that disease, my donation money goes right to them. I know it makes people feel good when they buy the disease themed products, but come on, how much of that money actually goes to research and care?

I do still have hope that maybe ten years or so from now we'll have the visibility and awareness that breast cancer has now.

[beth568]

I, too, am frustrated by the pink merchandise and how little fundraising value it has. I don't like to think that it's become fashionable to buy all this stuff without truly considering what the money does.

And yes, people love boobs. I think that the appeal of the breast cancer movement is that, for many women, there's a "sisterhood" feeling that's generated around it, and then men can wear pink and look like cool sensitive guys (said a bit tongue in cheek, so please don't take offense).

The problem we have is that everyone's cool with talking about mammograms and breast cancer detection, but no one really wants to talk about pooping blood. Prostate cancer is a little bit similar - not quite as sexy as breasts, and prostate exams involve the dreaded penetration (though I have told my husband that he no longer gets any sympathy from me if he tries to complain that it's uncomfortable to have a finger inserted rectally - I have had all manner of things, including a big surgical stapler, popped up there).

I also find myself feeling peeved lately when I hear that someone notable has died "after a long battle with cancer" when the type of cancer isn't specified. I guess some people want to be private about it, but it might really help raise awareness if we heard those details.

I do hope everyone will find a way to get over their discomfort with talking about colon cancer in the years to come. We could save lives if people stopped being embarrassed!

[beth568]

I, too, am frustrated by the pink merchandise and how little fundraising value it has. I don't like to think that it's become fashionable to buy all this stuff without truly considering what the money does.

And yes, people love boobs. I think that the appeal of the breast cancer movement is that, for many women, there's a "sisterhood" feeling that's generated around it, and then men can wear pink and look like cool sensitive guys (said a bit tongue in cheek, so please don't take offense).

The problem we have is that everyone's cool with talking about mammograms and breast cancer detection, but no one really wants to talk about pooping blood. Prostate cancer is a little bit similar - not quite as sexy as breasts, and prostate exams involve the dreaded penetration (though I have told my husband that he no longer gets any sympathy from me if he tries to complain that it's uncomfortable to have a finger inserted rectally - I have had all manner of things, including a big surgical stapler, popped up there).

I also find myself feeling peeved lately when I hear that someone notable has died "after a long battle with cancer" when the type of cancer isn't specified. I guess some people want to be private about it, but it might really help raise awareness if we heard those details.

I do hope everyone will find a way to get over their discomfort with talking about colon cancer in the years to come. We could save lives if people stopped being embarrassed!

[babs249]

I agree Beth about what you said about the cancer not being specified when someone notable dies. Actually, I usually end up thinking they probably died from colorectal cancer, because that seems to be the one people feel the most embarrassment about. They do have a right to privacy, but I just think that sometimes it's a missed opportunity. I can't say I'm a huge fan of Katie Couric - I really never watch daytime TV, and haven't made a practice of watching network news for years, but she did something really tremendous when she had her colonoscopy televised. Think of how many lives she saved by doing that! What a great legacy she left in her husband's stead.

[KarMel]

Yep... watching NFL today and some teams have pink helmets or socks, etc.

In March ( here in US), wouldn't it be great to tie CRC awareness into something big and national, Like the NCAA March Madness basketball tourney. Have all the players wear blue star patches on their jerseys. Do ads with players and coaches doing promos for colonoscopies. There has to be players or coaches who have been affected by it. More Americans die or CRC than breast cancer.

Wish I knew people in that business who I could approach. Never hurts to ask.

Getting prepared for pizza boxes, yorgurt lids, and God knows what else covered with pink ribbons this month. Sigh
.

[deb1223]

Hey guys cancer is cancer and they all suck. Let's not badger the ones sponsoring breast cancer, they had a foundation that worked hard to get breast cancer recognized. In stead let's stand together and get our cause out there. Let's work together to come up with ideas that can benefit our cause. It's not that people don't want to talk about anal cancer it's just they probably hadn't been affected by it yet. We don't have something to be embarrassed about, but we do have a disease that's not talked about because people really don't understand it until it affects them. So let's come up with ideas to get our disease recognized and get someone that will speak with corporation to use blue during our month. I also noticed our paper was being printed on pink, the Koman foundation has left no stone unturned, what's keeping us from doing the same. By the way I've been watching the board but never really said anything, so I hope no one thinks I'm over bearing. However, all ideas are welcome.

[gracie]

I have 3 sisters and yes all 3 got breast cancer. Two went with mastectomies and one the radiation. (I get Rectal cancer)??
All through my Nursing career I 'Walked' every year for 'The Cancer Walk'
This specified no certain cancer and I do so wish that was more the way it should be!
There is no doubt though that the Breast Cancer does get more funding and research than other cancers. (Must we really have a Cancer Battle?)
I have actually heard people say "Colon Cancer is not a Pretty Cancer nor in a Good place" I have never gave thought to a pretty or better cancer to have!
We need a 'Complete Cancer Cure' and when or if we get one it will be for all cancers! (At least I hope)
I think 'ALL' cancer funding and research should be divided 'equal'
There are so many different cancers in the World.
However if a 'Rare Cancer' sometimes no cure or even decent treatment for them??
I would never have started researching any Cancers if not for the fact that my 3 sisters had Breast Cancer!
Lets all fight for a 'Cure for Cancer' and forget the pettiness of one getting more attention than another.
Just my opinion!
gracie

[Laurettas]

This is not totally on topic but a pet peeve of mine. The US gov't spends $3 billion a year on research for AIDS which kills 17,000 people a year and is quite preventable on the whole with a few lifestyle changes. It spends $5 billion a year on cancer research which kills 500,000 people a year, many of whom could not have done anything to prevent it as far as we know. Why so much money spent on an illness that kills so few, comparatively speaking. To be equal per person dying from the disease, we should be spending $90 billion on cancer research. Imagine if we did that. I read all the time of the struggles research facilities have finding funding for some very promising sounding research for cancer treatment. Off topic but still pertinent, I think.

[Terry]

yep, the Packers are wearing pink too. They do every year since Brett Favres wife got breast cancer. Hey, I think it's great it's just they should do it for us too.

I tried getting Channel 2 (abc) to do a thing on cc for years and now that a cop got it, they've been talking about it. At least they're talking about it. We'll see during colon cancer month how much they talk aout it this year with this police officer having it. I hate that he had to get it (I think he's in his early 40's), but at least it's bringing it more publicity.

Laurettas: I get what your saying. My husbands aunts daughter has a very rare cancer that only about 40,000 people have ever had and they do NO research on it as far as we know. She's always eaten healthy, rides miles and miles on a bike, so didn't get this from her lifestyle. I'm not saying they shouldn't do research on aids. There are children that have transmitted HIV/AIDS from blood transfusions years ago, both heterosexual and homosexuals can get it, although if they would use safe sex that would decrease their risk also, but what about these orphan diseases.

Breast cancer gets all of this publicity because they have had a lot of people get out there and fight for the publicity. I think we have some great people trying with this, but I think people have a hard time wanting to discuss bowels and what comes with it unfortunately.

[NWgirl]

AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!! Took my daughter to Ulta today as part of our "Mommy and Amber" day to do some of her birthday shopping. THERE WAS PINK EVERYWHERE!!!!! They asked if I wanted to donate to breast cancer something or other - I declined. I overheard other customers all donating - I don't care. That said, I am sending a check for my donation to breast cancer (something) to my dear friend in Phoenix - a two time breast cancer survivor, who is doing the "walk" this month.

But to support it randomly through retail - no, not my thing. I'm all for supporting breast cancer awareness, research, prevention, treatment, etc.; as well as for ALL cancers. But there has to be a balance, and that clearly is NOT happening.

[Nickmark59]

They lined the Hot Metal bridge in Pittsburgh's South side with pink bras other day for the event and I have sen the big pink tractor trailer that Roads Scholar trucking has on the road several times now.
KDKA has done a good job about CC since one of its corespondents came down with it few years back but you never hear much otherwise .

[dianne052506]

I've been quietly fuming, and it's only October 2nd. I wasn't going to bring it up, but since Fletch did...

Two of the weirder things I've seen so far,
our local newspaper, circulation more than 155,000, is printing a pink edition on Oct 4th

Two small towns in North Carolina that I pass through on my way to the beach have PINK ribbon 55-gal recyling bins.

The major department store in our area is doing a $3 million-over-3-year campaign for breast cancer. Went shopping for some new jammies the other day, and saw some really cute ones at a distance. As I got closer, I noticed all three styles were decorated with pink ribbons.

I have to give credit to Komen and other breast cancer awareness groups; they're good. But I still feel like screaming. There are more diagnoses of breast cancer per year in America, but more deaths due to colorectal cancer - est by NCI for 2011, over 49,000 deaths for CRC, vs 40,000 deaths for breast cancer. Breasts are cool, Viagra and Cialis are everywhere on TV, and we're still behind the (bathroom) door.
Dianne