Pinktober Backlash

It seems everywhere I turn this week, there's a pink ribbon on something as it is "Pinktober", the month dedicated to raising both awareness and funds to support breast cancer research. And in my following news related to my stage of cancer (4), I see a backlash against this campaign. Some are more angry or passionate than others, but the theme is that very few dollars (and therefore little progress has been made in recent years ) is going towards extending or saving the life of those with stage 4 or metastatic breast cancer.

For those who don't know, that's when the cancer has spread from the breast, most often the bones, lungs, liver, or brain. Unlike the other stages, this cancer has no cure. It may go into remission and/or be treatable for years but almost 100 percent of the time, it kills you in the end.

Personally, I don't feel any anger that only two percent of all those funds raised goes towards curing/treating those at stage 4. It's hard for me to find fault as not only have I've benefitted from the raised awareness, but I'm all for increasing the survival rate of anyone who has cancer. It does make me  very curious.

Not to be a downer, but 30 percent of those who were diagnosed with an earlier stage cancer, even after a successful treatment end up with metastatic cancer later down the road.  If only two percent came back at stage 4, it would make sense to me.

Is it more of an image thing in fundraising? It is easier to raise funds for a cause that is saving the lives 70% of people?  People just like backing a cause with better odds? As someone with a marketing background, I see that being a much easier, campaign to create and execute.  Speaking of the marketing side, I have to admit I so prefer the "ribbon" (pictured in upper right corner of this post) designed for the campaign to raise awareness for metastatic cancer. Much more interesting than the solid pink if you ask me.

If this "Pinktober" you're looking to donate to funds for breast cancer, consider donating to research dedicated to save the lives of folks like me who are fighting stage 4 breast cancer. Click that multicolor, interesting ribbon to go to a fundraising site specifically for that purpose. Thank you to all who have and will donate to either ribbon cause.