I’ve been traveling; and mostly off the grid. Meanwhile, the month has somehow flown by.
Not just any month.
And now that October is almost over, I just can’t let it go by unnoticed.
As if I could NOT notice. It’s impossible to miss.
It’s on football players, firetrucks, fast food.
On a table at a coffee shop—Get plumped for the cure?
At the same time I’ve been reading Promise Me, the story of Nancy Brinker, sister of Susan G. Komen, and the woman who turned the world pink.
I admire her for what she’s done; I participate in activities attached to Breast Awareness month; and underneath most of the pink for the most part is a worthy cause.
Still, for me the overload of pink and the issue of pinkwashing is washing out the meaning.
I understand the frustration felt by other cancer activists; as pink sinks up so much attention and resources compared to other types of cancers.
And frustration is felt in the breast cancer community, too.
Pink is the color of awareness; but I think part of that awareness needs to be awareness of the truth.
And the truth is that women (and men) typically don’t die from cancer in their breasts. They die when it moves from breasts to other organs, when it’s metastatic–which will happen to 30% of women with breast cancer.
Metastatic breast cancer is not pink; and it’s not pretty.
Over the years, despite the increased awareness and attention to breast cancer, survival rates for metastatic breast cancer have NOT significantly improved.
Although it’s responsible for nearly all of the deaths, the funding for metastatic breast cancer remains at 3% of all funding for breast cancer research in the United States.
If that statistic surprises you, in the spirit of Breast Awareness month, I urge you to read this.
I wouldn’t say you’ve been punk’d; you’ve been pink’d.
Thank you, Darryle! What an important message to keep spreading –
Hope you had a wonderful month travelling!
Susan
I wish I could say it’s been wonderful traveling; much of it has been attached to sadness and challenges similar to yours. I wish I was close enough to help you, too—. I don’t always get to comment on your posts; but I keep up with how you are doing.
Like so many people who know you or know of you, I find you consistently and constantly inspiring—and I have found so much wisdom and comfort in your posts, especially this one which I think everyone should read:
:http://toddlerplanet.wordpress.com/2011/09/23/its-not-fair/
I think you must know you’re one of my heroes–wishing you continued strength, hope and healing.
It is all a bit exhausting isn’t it? I’m beyond frustrated by the lack of inclusion of the the mets community in all the pink hoopla. I’m angry about it. Thanks for writing this post and continuing to spread the word. We won’t keep quiet even after October has come and gone. And I agree with you about Susan’s writing. It’s truly inspirational.
Thanks so much, Nancy. Sorry I somehow over looked your comment for a few days now that Pinktober is over; agree the pink hoopla really misses the mark as far as metastatic breast cancer—which to me is a vital part of awareness. I know how important it is to continue spreading the word and promise to do my part, especially to support people like Susan. Thanks again for your comment and your participation.