cui bono

Pinktober is upon us

We’ve written a lot about the problems with pinkwashing of cancer “awareness” in the past, but this is the hardest month of the year to match actions with ideals on this issue, because (a) the pink products are everywhere, and (b) it is at least a good reminder of a worthy cause to direct our donations towards, if only we can be sure that the money is being used effectively.

Pinkwashing cancer – Pink Ribbons, Inc. asks who’s benefiting most?

Pink cancer marketing globally diverts generous people’s donations away from the organisations doing most of the work towards organisations who are just better at marketing – the filmmakers determined only 15% of monies raised in North America go to research prevention, and 5% to research environmental causes of breast cancer. Does this sound like the best use of donors’ money? And what about all the non-pinkified cancers?