Health

GUIDE TO BUYING PINK - don't get ripped off in Breast Cancer Awareness Month

by LotusFlower | October 1, 2008 at 03:50 pm

243 views | 25 Recommendations | 6 comments

The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and many companies seem to be offering support - but how can you make sure that your well earned dollar is actually going to Breast Cancer charties rather than straight into some dodgy dealer's pocket? Here's a useful guide from the Minneapolis StarTribune - click the highlighted article for the full guide.

If the packaging doesn't say, don't pay. The name and website of the organization that benefits from the sale, and the percentage of the sale price being given, should be printed on the label.

Sometimes a pink ribbon is just a pink ribbon. Anyone can slap a colored-ribbon image on a product and claim to be promoting "awareness." That doesn't mean they're giving any of their money to cancer research and support.

Where the rubber meets the wrist, proceed with caution. The trend in showing support for a charitable cause by wearing inexpensive rubber bracelets was a good idea, but they are now so ubiquitous that unless you're buying one directly from a foundation or other reliable source, you could be rewarding a rip-off artist.

Beware of vague claims like "a percentage of net proceeds." Unless they also include a specific figure. This is just doublespeak for "we don't really want to tell you how little we're giving, so this makes it easy to fudge."

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Rachel Nixon

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 16:35 on October 1st, 2008

LotusFlower, thanks for the tips. It's important to make sure your cash goes to the right place. Have there been many instances of fraud of this kind?

LotusFlower

at 16:38 on October 1st, 2008

I'm not sure of the amount of incidences of this but where there is a buck to be made the scammers will be there - its not only out and out scammers but those who mdo give some cash to causes but only very small amounts. Thanks for the flag!

Terri Potratz

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 17:08 on October 1st, 2008

LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff.

True, it's hard to assume the worst in people when you're feeling philanthropic, but there are scammers out there who will take advantage of anyone. You should know exactly where your money is going - or better yet, volunteer your time to an organization as well.

Paschen

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 18:00 on October 1st, 2008

LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff.

It is sad though that every thing is becoming miss used. To the point that soon no one may support much of an thing any longer for fear of getting used.

Fairbanks

at 07:49 on October 4th, 2008

ADN:

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Anchorage is going pink in response.

The fountain at Loussac Library will glow pink for the month to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

. . .

Also the ice at the Carkson Center was pink for hockey last night. Fairbanks would probably have a pink fountain, but it is about 15 degrees, so just pink ice is more practical.