KFC BUCKETS FOR THE CURE
Of all the incongruous merchandise to get a pink-over, KFC’s “Buckets for the Cure” must rate as one of the most surreal. Never mind that the National Cancer Institute associates colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancer with “high intakes of well-done, fried, or [barbequed] meats,” nor the fact that the fine print indicates a guaranteed contribution of $1 million to Susan G. Komen for the Cure—no purchase of buckets, pink or otherwise, necessary.
AVON BREAST CANCER CRUSADE
Avon, ubiquitous sponsor of many a breast cancer walk, continues to use the disease as a platform for brand recognition. Yet it flagrantly hawks products that harbor many of the toxic chemicals associated with the same cancer it seeks to eradicate. The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database classifies more than 140 of Avon’s products as “high hazard” due to the presence of hormone disruptors, neurotoxins, and possible carcinogens.
ESTÉE LAUDER PINK RIBBON COLLECTION
Estée Lauder has a “brilliant way” to show your support of breast-cancer awareness: lipstick in your choice of “Evelyn Wildly pink” or “Lavish pink” in a pink croc-embossed clutch. (The company will donate 20 percent of the suggested retail price of its Pink Ribbon Collection to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.) The irony? The rosy-hued wares are chockfull of reproductive toxins, hormone-disrupting chemicals, and carcinogens. As a member of the Personal Care Products Council (formerly known as the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrance Association), Estée Lauder also opposed a 2005 California bill that required cosmetics firms to disclose their use of chemicals linked to cancer or birth defects.
DRIVE FOR THE CURE
You’ve seen the ads: Ford, Mercedes, BMW, and Fiat are urging folks to test-drive or buy its latest hot rod by promising cash for breast-cancer research for every mile driven. Yet car exhaust brims with toxic chemicals that are linked to the disease, such as benzo[a]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, benzene, and 1,3-butadiene, each one nastier than the last. In fact, occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene suggests increased rates of multiple cancers, including the amplified risk of mammary tumors, according to the International Agency for Research on Chemicals.
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This is an awesome article Jasmin – nice work!
So, it hasn’t been just my imagination that some of these “pink” offers are ridiculous, some of the supposed benefits doubtful, and the result of years of donations is still pitiful?
B.C.”survivor” – not! Just living with it.
For folks asking “Why be hating?”
When businesses support a cause, they are also advertising their products and enhancing perception of the social responsibility rating of their products and business conduct. When there is contradiction inherent in business practice or composition of product, or if the cost to market the “benefit” outstrips the value of the donation, then it is fair game to interrogate that practice or product, to burst inaccurate consumer perception that she/he is indeed doing “good” by purchasing a given product or service marketed as part of the “the cure.”
If these companies *really* cared about stopping breast cancer, they wouldn’t manufacture the toxic products that contribute to it!
Anyone else pick up on the irony of the B of A pink ad on the right of the page for this article? I would replace the last mention (Chambord) with the B of A Pink Washing. Give B of A a blasting and give alcohol an “Honerable Mention” at best.
Cheers to awareness. Thanks for posting! I’ve come to hate SBG month and prefer to support the prevention of cancer by attacking the causes before they create damage.
Great article, I wasn’t aware of most of this stuff. From now on I will make a donation directly to cancer research rather than think that any of this is actually going to help. Especially if what they are putting out is hurting us rather than helping.
I just want to say… you should consider the good that has come from these companies support.
Honestly, I wouldn’t think to myself “I have 5 extra bucks this week. I’m going to donate it.”
I would think though “Oh. They are going to donate 5 bucks to research. That’s nice. I will go ahead and buy it.” And if you are purchasing anyway and it happens to donate a small percentage to your fav charity… BONUS!!!
Yes. I do agree that manufacturers should re-evaluate what goes in to their products but without their donations, there would hardly be any.