Before you think pink this October, know where your money is going.
It seems every large corporation does some sort of pink/breast cancer awareness tie-in now. But are the companies really dedicated to raising money for breast cancer research or are they just using the disease to sell merchandise?
The NFL promotes breast cancer awareness during October: you see players with pink cleats and gloves; water boys run out with pink towels; and the league tries to sell a boatload of pink merchandise. But there has been plenty of coverage about the relatively small amount of proceeds that actually go toward breast cancer charities, reportedly 3.5%.
And now, my WTSP colleague Charles Billi reports a former Buccaneers cheerleader is fighting against “pink-washing.” She wants the NFL and other corporations to stop what she considers exploiting breast cancer for profit.
It’s not hard to find companies trying to capitalize on cancer – I see it in grocery stores, convenience stores, and at road races. The phrase “a portion of proceeds go to benefit” should raise red flags if the company doesn’t disclose how much they’re donating.
Last week, I saw a very large ad from a very large Florida corporation touting its commitment to breast cancer. When I called its corporate headquarters to find out how much the company was actually donating to breast cancer charities, I was told the donation was secret. But indications were it wasn’t much.
The lesson, as the Better Business Bureau also advises, is don’t buy a product or sign up for an event just because it associates itself with a pink ribbon.
If you want to support a charity - whether it fights cancer or heart disease or domestic violence - the best way is to donate directly to the charity or participate directly in one of their events. Because otherwise, a majority of your money could just be going to a third-party or some corporate bottom-line.
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Great info Noah. I could not agree more. As someone who has been a non-profit professional for 20 years now, I can tell you that it is sad to see so many people duped into thinking they are doing a good thing. It is far better for people to give directly or to an event that you know the organization is doing. This way, you know the people who needs the funding are actually getting it and benefitting from it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's a shame when these food places sell unhealthy food w/ pink dye in it to "support BC", to as we know increase business, though it's food like the food they serve that helps cause cancers in time...
ReplyDeleteNoah,
ReplyDeleteRegarding your statement:
"Last week, I saw a very large ad from a very large Florida corporation touting its commitment to breast cancer. When I called its corporate headquarters to find out how much the company was actually donating to breast cancer charities, I was told the donation was secret. But indications were it wasn’t much."
How about telling us what corporation this is, or do you want to further propagate the 'secrets'?????
I remember when I was a kid in New England going to the movies, they always played a Jimmy Fund ad before the movie, and afterward ushers would walk around with a can collecting change. I remember thinking even then . . . what if some of these people are coming to the movies to ESCAPE a loved one fighting or dying of cancer. Isn't that what the movies are supposed to be? An escape from reality?
ReplyDeleteNow, I think about an NFL football fan who might have recently lost a loved one to breast cancer, and he turns to the game for an escape . . . and finds none.
(On a side note) "I remember when I was a kid in New England", that explains a lot of your ideogoly! Another short smart alec from the Bahstun area (eg. Noah) trying to tell southerners how to run a baseball team... lol
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