Awareness Doesn’t Require Pink Ribbons
Each year, October shows up in pink, flashing ribbons and yelling at us to pay attention. The sentiment is valid and important: more research, more resources, more steps toward a cure. Now, three years living as a survivor, however, this month’s deluge of pink washes over me with crucial discernment. I see the pink flags hanging in your business and beg the question: how are you championing the cause? Because if you’re not directly contributing to research (especially stage IV research) and directly supporting patients and survivors, it’s simply Pinkwashing.
The 1 in 8 women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer this year are painfully aware. Our community doesn’t need more color; it needs more visibility into the complex nuances of this terrifying diagnosis and the challenging realities of surviving it. And then there are the increasing realities of being diagnosed during pregnancy or postpartum, or having to make the incredibly agonizing decision to become a previvor.
One of the aspects of breast cancer that blindsided me most is one that few talk about: that the disease never actually goes away. We survive it, but we never escape it. Survivorship, particularly young survivorship, is grueling. Even with 16 rounds of chemo, 30 rounds of radiation and 12 rounds of targeted therapy now behind me, there are still years of daily medications, monthly injections and biannual scans ahead of me – as well as medical menopause and (healthy) doses of existentialism and anxiety that must be regulated often.
This s*it is ugly, painful and real. It doesn’t dress up pretty in pink or get summarized onto a t-shirt. Overcoming the disease and advancing a cure is deep work and warrants equal intention and awareness.
This month, if you find yourself gravitating towards a pink-branded product, I encourage you to be intentional with your purchases. Ask yourself: How much of the funds are going directly to research and/or treatment and how? What type of programs are being funded? Are breast cancer patients being directly supported? The team at Reclaim October does an invaluable job in promoting awareness of these efforts and calling out #pinkwashing campaigns.
If you’re compelled to donate directly to an organization, The Breasties and Hope for Two have both been lifelines during my journey and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation leads innovative research initiatives and provides a wealth of resources for medical teams, patients and survivors alike.
Ultimately, the best thing you can do for anyone affected by breast cancer is to see their individual story as it is.
Onward, with hope and gratitude 🩷
