Cares Enough to Wear Pink

[EmtTravis]

So I am sure that many of you well maybe some of you have read my post about me being diagnosed with breast cancer. I am all for donating to charities even breast cancer seeing as how I lost my mom to breast cancer in 07 but ever since I was diagnosed I have been looking more into the types of cancer and breast cancer is the only one that gets any type of advertisement really and it kind of makes me sad. There are so many different kinds of cancer that kill or cause permanent damage to people. I have told my wife I am going to start my own foundation from testicular cancer which is what I have. Instead of a ribbon I am going to use the scrat off of the Ice Age movies chasing his acorn across the ground as my symbol lol. But in all seriousness there are so many other things to donate to besides breast cancer but not many do. But that is just my .02 take it or leave it. Either way it doesn't matter to me. And not dumping on you I would wear that shirt if my dept wanted me to. No need to feel ashamed of buying/wearing it.

 

[JPINFV]

Instead of a ribbon I am going to use the scrat off of the Ice Age movies chasing his acorn across the ground as my symbol lol.

Protect your nuts, palpate for lumps monthly.

 

[CAOX3]

So showing support for one charity, some how equates to dismissing another one?

Really, I mean really.....

:wacko:

Some people need a vacation from.... well themselves.

 

[Sassafras]

Travis I would wear your nut protecting shirt with pride! I'm not doing the tshirt. Feast cancer thing this year though. I'm raising money for it via the walk athon. Now to get a few more donations before Saturday to reach my goal lol. Honestly though heart disease gets a lot of attention around here as well. Perhaps we should designate an awareness month to that as well? I see no reason why the worldcant band together and solve many of our problems.

 

[EMS49393]

Without advertisement, you can't get your cause out there for millions to see. I think the breast cancer awareness people have some strategic marketing people working for them and they have made awareness of the disease successful. Everyone knows what the pink ribbon stands for, but how many know any other "universal" cause symbols?

I'm not sick of the breast cancer awareness campaign as I have suffered several losses to the disease.

I would, however, love to see some of those awesome marketing guys/gals jump on over to help the heart disease, obesity, other cancers, autism, and any other cause anyone deems epidemic and wants to champion. I can only champion a few causes at a time, so I pick the ones that are close to me.

I love your pink shirt. I would wear it proudly, even though I wear very few fire/ems related things when I'm not working. I'd even drive my butt the hour to Howard county to get one. I've always liked Howard county, they were second due in the first area I ever volunteered, and they were great guys. We even had some of their career guys working at our station. I personally think it's very nice that they've done this shirt, and it's obviously working, look at how many people are upset because of all the "awareness" this cancer is getting over another cancer.

It's all in the marketing.

By the way, I carry a Pink line in my store during October for breast cancer awareness. I eat the cost of what I design and I donate the full amount to the Komen foundation. I guess that makes me just as much a sell out as everyone else on the breast cancer bandwagon.

 

[46Young]

I'd like to see an aggressive campaign for nutritional and exercise awareness. If we all kept our bodyfat in check, and did some intense weight training for bone/joint health, and some moderately intense cardio, we would greatly reduce many of these diseases. How about cutting out all these processed foods? How about these farms feeding cows, chickens and such unnatural diets of corn and soybeans?

http://www.lionsgrip.com/chickens.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/026534_health_cows_nature.html

How many of the obese and undertrained develop ASHD, type II diabetes, MI's, CVA's, HTN, osteoporosis, various joint maladies, etc? There's a reason why corporate wellness initiatives are on the rise. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I saved 50% on my gym membership through my insurance carrier. They'd rather subsidize my membership plan rather than pay for a cardiac cath, various meds, a THR/TKR, maybe a BKA or two due to PVD caused by DM.

When you think about it, modern Western medicine is mostly designed to control signs/symptoms, and perform surgery, not to cure your disease. Meds cause side effects that you need other meds to control, which need other meds to control those side effects, etc. etc. you get the idea.

Big Pharma stands to lose a bundle if we become less reliant on meds and surgery. Sure, if I need life saving meds or surgery in an emergent situation, by all means, do what you gotta do. But I, for one, don't plan to spend my later years hobbled over a cane and on a plethora of meds, probably rotting away in a nursing home.

-end rant :angry:

 

[Sassafras]

I'd like to see an aggressive campaign for nutritional and exercise awareness. If we all kept our bodyfat in check, and did some intense weight training for bone/joint health, and some moderately intense cardio, we would greatly reduce many of these diseases. How about cutting out all these processed foods? How about these farms feeding cows, chickens and such unnatural diets of corn and soybeans?

So jump on the Jaimie Oliver Food Revolution campaign and run like the wind! It's starting to get noticed. It will take people who are passionate like you to keep it moving. Some people are doing the grunt work, so partner up beside them and keep the fire going. I'm a firm believer that the world is full of diverse personalities and what may be a non thought of process to one will mean the world to another. It's why I didn't get upset over dog rescues in LA after Katrina. A lot of people felt passionate about helping the people. Then some realized the animals were getting left behind and took the cause. We don't all have to support the same causes. It actually works better when we don't because things are more diversified that way.

 

[46Young]

So jump on the Jaimie Oliver Food Revolution campaign and run like the wind! It's starting to get noticed.Thanks for the tip!

We don't all have to support the same causes. It actually works better when we don't because things are more diversified that way.That should be the take away message from this thread. Who's to say that one cause is more or less important than another?

Any charity is better than no charity. If not for this cause, our unions wouldn't be doing much of anything on that particular day.

 

[JJR512]

Protect your nuts, palpate for lumps monthly.

If you could get that made up as a shirt, including that statement printed on it, I'd buy and wear it.

I would, however, love to see some of those awesome marketing guys/gals jump on over to help the heart disease, obesity, other cancers, autism, and any other cause anyone deems epidemic and wants to champion. I can only champion a few causes at a time, so I pick the ones that are close to me.

To be honest, breast cancer isn't really all that close to me. I don't believe anyone in my family has ever had it. Part of the reason why I, as a volunteer who is not required to do so, got the shirt is because it's different. If they made a special shirt (or hat or whatever) for other causes, I would get them, too.

I love your pink shirt. I would wear it proudly, even though I wear very few fire/ems related things when I'm not working. I'd even drive my butt the hour to Howard county to get one. I've always liked Howard county, they were second due in the first area I ever volunteered, and they were great guys. We even had some of their career guys working at our station. I personally think it's very nice that they've done this shirt, and it's obviously working, look at how many people are upset because of all the "awareness" this cancer is getting over another cancer.

If you really want one, I could probably pick one up for you and mail it. PM me if you're interested...And that goes for anyone else, too. I forgot that it's "local pickup only".

By the by, where was it you volunteered when HoCo was your 2nd due?

I'd like to see an aggressive campaign for nutritional and exercise awareness. If we all kept our bodyfat in check, and did some intense weight training for bone/joint health, and some moderately intense cardio, we would greatly reduce many of these diseases...How many of the obese and undertrained develop ASHD, type II diabetes, MI's, CVA's, HTN, osteoporosis, various joint maladies, etc? ...An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I saved 50% on my gym membership through my insurance carrier. They'd rather subsidize my membership plan rather than pay for a cardiac cath, various meds, a THR/TKR, maybe a BKA or two due to PVD caused by DM.

Absolutely.

When you think about it, modern Western medicine is mostly designed to control signs/symptoms, and perform surgery, not to cure your disease. Meds cause side effects that you need other meds to control, which need other meds to control those side effects, etc. etc. you get the idea.

Big Pharma stands to lose a bundle if we become less reliant on meds and surgery. Sure, if I need life saving meds or surgery in an emergent situation, by all means, do what you gotta do. But I, for one, don't plan to spend my later years hobbled over a cane and on a plethora of meds, probably rotting away in a nursing home.

-end rant :angry:

I agree.

 

[EMS49393]

By the by, where was it you volunteered when HoCo was your 2nd due?

Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department for three years in the late 90's. West Friendship was second due in a lot of are southern territory, including my parents house. They even hauled my Mum out of there once when she was having one of her a-fib fits because Sykesville was on another run and couldn't get the second ambulance out.

 

[46Young]

The marketing campaign for Breast CA awarness is massive! Look what I found:

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?cid=403

Pink EliteFTS Prowlers!

 

[EmtTravis]

I do support breast cancer but I'm not going to go out and buy everything pink. Like I stated I lost my mom from breast cancer in 07 and am thankful there is a foundation for it but maybe some of us need to look at some other things also. And JPINFV I like that picture and the caption alot lol. I may see what my local shop would charge to make something like that. Hrm now what about some colors for it lol.

 

[LucidResq]

This whole idea of "any charity is better than none" is a little bit too black and white.

There are more effects of this phenomenon than money being provided to a good cause. Like most things, it's not that simple.

Many people take issue with things like the fact Breast Cancer Awareness Month was founded by AstraZeneca, a big pharm company that stands to benefit more from the perpetuation of breast cancer than the prevention of it. How would they keep selling tamoxifen if there were fewer cases of breast cancer? Why the hardcore focus on mammography when it's unclear whether they are really beneficial or not... perhaps even harmful due to potentially unnecessary exposure to radiation and unwarranted interventions?

Don't be naive and immediately rule out profit as a motivation for these campaigns... we're talking about enormous multinational corporations here, many of them peddling drugs and mammography technology... hmmm.

Where is the support for social issues involved with breast cancer such as lack of access to care? Solid research on risk factors, treatment and prevention rather than just "the cure" and "awareness."?

 

[LucidResq]

The marketing campaign for Breast CA awarness is massive! Look what I found:

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?cid=403

Pink EliteFTS Prowlers!

Yeah and a portion of those proceeds, who knows the amount it could be tiny, go the American Breast Cancer Foundation - an organization rated at 0 stars on Charity Navigator due to more of its funds being spent on administration and fundraising (which is pretty inefficient anyways they spend $.43 to raise every $1) than the actual charity programs and sells its mailing lists. I also love that the foundation provides funding for screening for those in financial need (obviously not a lot as they are a grossly inefficient commercial fundraising machine more than a charity), but you're on your own after the biopsy shows you have cancer. Oh sorry, they'll also give you a wig when you're going through chemo on your own dime.

FYI.

 

[LucidResq]

Unless you consider fattening the wallets of greedy people a "good cause", your money goes to a "good cause" less often than you'd think.

...half of the cancer charities that AIP rates in this Charity Rating Guide receive a D or F grade and only 37% receive an A or B.

...the closely named F rated American Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) spent nearly 87% of its budget on solicitations that included an educational message and only $357,500 or 2.4% on research grants. According to ABCF’s fiscal 2006 tax form $5,175,000 of the $12,726,000 that this charity pays to professional fundraisers goes to Non Profit Promotions, which is owned by ABCF co-founder Joe Wolf, who is also the son of ABCF’s president and co-founder, Phyllis Wolf. ABCF was created in 1998 and Non Profit Promotions was started a year later.

Since potentially anyone could contract cancer it is very easy under current AICPA nonprofit accounting rules for a charity to claim that its solicitations are conducted for public education purposes. Nearly two-thirds of the cancer charities that AIP rates make such a claim in their financial statements. Charities can disguise the true cost of fundraising by throwing into a solicitation an action message such as “stop smoking,” “don’t stay in the sun too long,” or “check your breasts for lumps.”

Cancer Charities Need Dose of Organizational Chemotherapy - American Institute of Philanthropy

 

[LucidResq]

We don't all have to support the same causes. It actually works better when we don't because things are more diversified that way.

I totally agree with this statement, but I think you're all missing my point.

My problem is not with people supporting the fight against breast cancer, it's that they are often instead unwittingly supporting a massive corporate machine hawking pink crap and pharmaceuticals, and paying 6-digit salaries for CEOs of "charities" that exist almost solely for that purpose alone.

Unfortunately, another side result of is this is that many people are now completely misinformed - how many people believe wholeheartedly that breast cancer is the number one threat to women and that mammograms are undoubtedly extremely effective tools in the fight against it?

The problem is not people caring about breast cancer. It's that it's being manipulated in to an industry in and of itself.

 

[46Young]

I totally agree with this statement, but I think you're all missing my point.

My problem is not with people supporting the fight against breast cancer, it's that they are often instead unwittingly supporting a massive corporate machine hawking pink crap and pharmaceuticals, and paying 6-digit salaries for CEOs of "charities" that exist almost solely for that purpose alone.

Unfortunately, another side result of is this is that many people are now completely misinformed - how many people believe wholeheartedly that breast cancer is the number one threat to women and that mammograms are undoubtedly extremely effective tools in the fight against it?

The problem is not people caring about breast cancer. It's that it's being manipulated in to an industry in and of itself.

Funny that you mention these things. When we were filling the boot on Labor Day weekend, a FF told me about how one of the upper MDA execs received a huge settlement. I don't remember if it was for retirement, being let go, or what. We're out there collecting in the 90 degree heat, dodging cars and such, just to take care of this F-stick. I've always been wary of donating to charities. You're right in that so much of your donations go to waste, as in other people's pockets. It's like you're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

It's like I was saying earlier about Big Pharma, these corporations are only interested in making money off of patents for meds, expensive equipment, therapies, surgeries, and such. How many drugs are pulled off the shelves after being found toxic and lethal? AFTER they made their money off of the patent? Any fines or lawsuits are just a drop in the bucket when compared to what they made off of the patent. It's almost like a tax, a necessary evil of doing business. :angry::angry::angry::angry::angry::excl:

 

[NYCWatchdog]

I Do Think Its Interesting

I find something very interesting about all these "awareness" campaigns... everyone talks about who the disease effects but no one talks about prevention. Why is that?

More importantly, what type of "awareness" is actually raised by wearing a pink t-shirt? Is it the informed kind or the sound bite kind?

It seems sound bitey to me.

Just my $.02

 

[MrBrown]

A diet rich in nutrients and phytochemicals prevents cancer don't you know?

*Brown hands out salad to all

 

[dixie_flatline]

Guess I'm a little late to this party, but I just wanted to say that I am wearing my pink shirt, on-duty, proudly. Our dept's board of directors elected to provide all riding volunteers with a pink shirt and foot the bill. Both of my grandmothers are breast cancer survivors (all the men are prostate cancer survivors, so I'm not happy about my odds but at least I'm informed).

Also, Howard County and/or our station promotes all sorts of things, throughout the year, not just breast cancer - October just happens to be Wear Pink month. Here is an example from August. Yes, its focused on the Fire/EMS crew themselves and not the general public, sorry:

Strong at Heart
Heart attacks are the leading cause of line-of-duty firefighter deaths each year. Heart disease affects 80 million Americans, and the emergency services are not immune. In fact, the stress put on the heart and body by emergency response activities creates an increased risk of heart attack. Stay strong at heart by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and knowing your risks.

Quick Tips:

• Stop smoking. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. Make a plan to quit today. Visit the NVFC’s Put It Out smoking cessation campaign web site for tools and resources to help you become smoke-free.
• Aim for a healthy weight. Overweight and obesity cause many preventable deaths.
• Stay active. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most, preferably all, days of the week.
• Eat for heart-health. Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Be sure to include plenty of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
• Know your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), and blood glucose. Work with your doctor to improve any numbers that are not normal.

Yes, October might be an awareness month that was created by a corporation, but I used that argument once on Mother's Day - I don't advise it.