Do Pink Ribbon Products Truly Support Breast Cancer Research and Awareness?
Question: Do Pink Ribbon Products Truly Support Breast Cancer Research and Awareness?
In October, it seems like every kitchenware department has a display of pink products ranging from travel mugs to stand mixers, each promising to support breast cancer awareness and research. It's great to raise awareness of such a widespread and debilitating disease, but are the companies that make these products actually supporting the cause, or simply benefiting from the cause-related marketing?
Answer:
Don't put on your rose-colored glasses during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and buy any kitchen product that's pink, believing that your purchase will help support breast cancer research and awareness. While many companies legitimately support the cause with a meaningful donation, there are others that might be just jumping on the pink bandwagon. The Think Before You Pink project, which is part of the Breast Cancer Action organization, actually has actually called for accountability and transparency of companies that participate in breast cancer fundraising and pink ribbon projects.
If you want to support breast cancer research by purchasing some pink cooking equipment products this October, there are two questions you should ask to make sure that your purchase counts:
Then it's up to you to decide if the company is making a significant enough donation for you to support it with your purchase.
In October, it seems like every kitchenware department has a display of pink products ranging from travel mugs to stand mixers, each promising to support breast cancer awareness and research. It's great to raise awareness of such a widespread and debilitating disease, but are the companies that make these products actually supporting the cause, or simply benefiting from the cause-related marketing?
Answer:
Don't put on your rose-colored glasses during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and buy any kitchen product that's pink, believing that your purchase will help support breast cancer research and awareness. While many companies legitimately support the cause with a meaningful donation, there are others that might be just jumping on the pink bandwagon. The Think Before You Pink project, which is part of the Breast Cancer Action organization, actually has actually called for accountability and transparency of companies that participate in breast cancer fundraising and pink ribbon projects.
If you want to support breast cancer research by purchasing some pink cooking equipment products this October, there are two questions you should ask to make sure that your purchase counts:
- What organization is the company supporting? If the wording on the packaging or Web site simply says that a donation will be made to "breast cancer research," do some further investigating to make sure that the company is contributing to a well-respected and established organization. You can check on the manufacturer's Web site or by calling its consumer hotline.
- What portion of your purchase will be donated? It's not enough to say "a portion of the proceeds" will be donated. The product's package or company's Web site should indicate what percentage or amount will be contributed. Another thing to check is whether the company has a cap on how much it will donate.
Then it's up to you to decide if the company is making a significant enough donation for you to support it with your purchase.
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