I am loathe to admit it, but I used to be envious of the publicity given to breast cancer awareness – the girly sponsored walks, the dizzying range of pink goods flooding the shops every October and the endless celebrity endorsements. By comparison, multiple sclerosis seems a very poor cousin indeed.
Would it be easier for me, and society as a whole, to accept my multiple sclerosis if it was dressed up in loving, pink fluffiness? Or if I knew that thousands and thousands of strangers were doing their bit for a charity that would benefit me?
Yet, people are now starting to question the dubious ways in which very tenuously-linked items are being marketed to raise money for breast cancer. Recent examples include a Pink Ribbon Barbie, pink hair straighteners and a pink Makita drill, and this is only the tip of the iceberg. Are we now reaching pink overkill?
It is a contentious subject. If vast sums of money are generated and donated to search for a cure and fund services, who can grumble that it is all a bit too much and even a little tasteless.
Perhaps though, by thrusting such private, personal ‘battles’ with breast cancer into the glare of publicity, this somehow demeans and cheapens individual experiences of the illness. Would I want to be implored to stand up, fight back, remain positive and all the other mantras by people who have no idea what it’s really like – probably not.
There is a fascinating article in the Daily Mail about this subject – have a read, it’s eye-opening…
This topic has been on my mind for some time as well. You seem to be in my head alot these days! I’m tired of marketing schemes as well. Nothing about them exhibits the true issue at hand. I’d like to seem them market a bald barbie with a double mastectomy.
Thanks Andrea! How about an MS Barbie, complete with buzzing hands and feet, wearing flat shoes?? x
Throw in several bruises from all the crap we run into!
And a bright red tomato face…x
Hahaha! Oh man I can picture our lil’ doll now!
We should market it – L’il Ms MS. Catchy!x