“Pinkwashing – verb 1. the sale of items containing known carcinogens, while marketing these products in support of breast cancer awareness 2. also, capitalizing on the promotion of breast cancer prevention when only concerned about bottom line profit margin.”
Raising awareness for breast cancer research and prevention is important, I applaud companies that help raise real funds. HOWEVER, isn’t it horrendously hypocritical of certain companies to sell products with ingredients that have been shown to CAUSE BREAST CANCER?!
That’s right, they use ingredients that are mammary carcinogens, or carcinogenic contaminants that behave as endocrine disrupting compounds in our bodies, causing hormonal imbalance. As the Gerson Institute calls it, ‘carcinogens for the cure.’ True that.
It’s said that Evelyn Lauder’s dream was to end breast cancer. Why doesn’t the company jump off the breast cancer awareness bandwagon and honor her memory by reformulating their products WITHOUT harmful cancer causing ingredients?! Pinkwasing at its finest. And Estee Lauder is by no means the only company guilty of this. Most of them are… L’Oreal, Proctor & Gamble are major culprits. How do they sleep at night?!
Interested in a site that actually helps patients? Various companies offer patients free items such as scarves, make up, house cleaning, hats, wigs, etc. Breat cancer survivor Bethany Kandell created Breatcancerfreebies.com where patients can go to find items they can receive. You can make a donation on the site as well.
Cure Diva is another helpful site where patients and survivors can find support, answers, advice and more to help navigate them through the process… “a stylish feminine environment… here to revolutionize the lifestyle of women coping with breast cancer and it’s after effects.”
A direct donation is of course the best way to give back but if you’d like to shop, stay away from the carcinogens and be cautious about what you buy, many products don’t give up much of their ‘proceeds’. Take “Promise Me” perfume, for instance, the Susan G. Komen foundation sold this last year for $59 a bottle, but it’s estimated that only $1.31 of that retail price actually went to funding breast cancer research. Plus, it contained known carcinogens! WTF?!
Choose something cute from the Shop For a Cause Trunk Show by Stella & Dot, ALL net proceeds go to the Noreen Fraser Foundation. You’ll find all kinds of stuff including t-shirts at Save The Ta-tas. Some proceeds from Kohl’s Tek gear line of work out wear to to breast cancer research. Get support while you give support with Aerie’s bright pink Bridget bra. At least with these items you won’t be slathering your body with products that contain breast cancer causing toxins.
Women’s Voices For The Earth offers good tips on how to avoid being pinkwashed.
