Pink Ribbons Inc: A New Film on Komen, Cancer -- and Pink

The darker side of pink, this documentary opens in Canadian theaters and February 3rd. Whether you agree with it or not, it couldn’t come at a more relevant time.

Here’s how the film-makers describe their work:

Breast cancer has become the poster child of cause-related marketing campaigns – people walk, run and shop for the cure. Each year, millions of dollars are raised in the name of breast cancer, but where does this money go and what does it actually achieve? And what happens when a company engages in pinkwashing?

Pink Ribbons, Inc. is a feature documentary that shows how the devastating reality of breast cancer, which marketing experts have labeled a “dream cause,” has been hijacked by a shiny, pink story of success.

What do you think?

(and don’t forget to comment – we need to talk about this)

Susan G. Komen’s Cozy Relationship With Anti-Choice Groups

Shame On The Susan G. Komen Foundation

Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Next Step: Political PAC?

All Photos and video from the film's site

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Kelly G.

4:43PM PST on Feb 10, 2012

I knew about the many thousands of doner dollars that were wasted on frivolous lawsuits that the Komen Foundation brought against other charisties for using "for the cure" or "cure" in their fundraising/merketing efforts.

I knew about the bizarre political interference with passage of women's health-related legislation, and their questionable partnerships with drug companies.

But what really got me was when I saw that pink-washing had gone so far that there was a pink-ribbon handgun. A pink handgun!

After the debacle with their choice to allow politics to interfere with continuing to fund women's breast health care with one of the only organizations to serve low-income women, I decided enough is enough.

The Komen Foundation has gotten too large, far to political, and is far too involved with capitalistic endeavors to remain dedicated to its mission of saving women's lives. My cancer-related donations and women's health related donations will be going to worthier organizations.

send a green star

Lara K.

9:04PM PST on Feb 7, 2012

As the founder of Essentially Pink, a breast health education organization, I have been waiting for 5 years for a documentary like this to help me educate the public about the importance of integrating breast health daily. The Just like other recent health education truth based films "Food Inc." and "forks over knives", "Pink Ribbons Inc" is exposing the truth and educating the public about what is really going on here, naturally putting the focus back on self care and PREVENTION and what Essentially Pink has to offer. I am extremely excited about this important documentary, please watch our videos on how to tap your tulips and create breast health for your body here and now. essentiallypink.com

Vicki G.

9:00PM PST on Feb 6, 2012

I have had breast cancer and am surviving, I have purchased the pink ribbons, the pens, the clothes and walked 60km in support of this disease, I always knew in the back of my mind that there was something not quite right with the amount of merchandise that was out there. But what struck me really odd was when approached for the walk for breast cancer that if I signed up early I would get a hundred dollar credit and more if I got friends, how can you get a credit when you are raising money?????????? It was then that I decided that I would no longer participate in this. This film is an eye opener. Don't I feel silly. If it is awareness they are after - mission accomplished............but it doesn't look like much else is happening.

iii q.

6:07PM PST on Feb 6, 2012

Marg W.

7:44AM PST on Feb 6, 2012

How many people buy products who display the pink ribbon in their advertising? If the money you spend on their products went directly to cancer research maybe we would have had a cure long ago! We all thought we were doing a great thing supporting the pink ribbon campaign and now we find out we are being exploited!

Tony G.

5:00AM PST on Feb 6, 2012

What percentage of your donation goes to "fighting breast cancer" and what percentage go to OVERHEAD? The stats wil shoch you! I will find a new way to fight cancer.

Cherie F.

3:27AM PST on Feb 6, 2012

There are doctors who have been very successful with cancer cures such as Burzinsky and Gonzalez but they aren't being funded by SGK or the like. Are these 'charity organizations' really looking for a cure? Cancer is an industry in the US. Corporations don't want a cure. They only want to charge us out the ass for treatments that don't work and make us weaker while selling us foods that cause it. Welcome to the good old US of A. I'm so ready to relocate.

Jerry t.

11:14PM PST on Feb 5, 2012

Band wagons and snake oil, again?
"When Will They Ever Learn"? - Pete Seger

Christine S.

9:44PM PST on Feb 5, 2012

To me, the costs of holding the 3 day walk for breast cancer probably greatly outweighs the money actually raised to support cancer research...

Michelle K.

6:32PM PST on Feb 5, 2012

Jihn Z, I agree with you whole-heartedly. Our's has become a society that only cares about Money, Sex, Money, Possessions, Money, Who can be the Most Corrupt, Money, Who can control whom, Money, Getting mine & making sure no one else can achieve anywhere near what I can, Money, & any/ every other Worldly pursuit imaginable! I, often quetion myself, what happened to caring enough to help someone else? What happened to, Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you have also done unto me?Morals & ethics now seem to be game pieces to be played with or discarded at will! DIGNITY IS A JOKE & Our society has become the punch-line!