I was pretty bored today and I thought I'd practice some writing. So I might as well post it here.
Breast Cancer Foundation Products
The National Breast Cancer Foundation is known for its significant fundraising to find a cure and raise awareness for breast cancer. It is Australia's leading not-for profit organisation, and has made a name for itself and has partnered with numerous companies.
I'm all for the Breast Cancer Foundation, finding a cure that kills 2,600 Australians a year and affects thousands more, is an admirable thing to do. To me, it's something that's simply white, with no black or grey in between; it is a pure and honest foundation.
And now, whenever people see the pink ribbon on something, they are compelled to buy it. Because someone they know have been affected by the horrible cancer, and by buying an item that donates to the Breast Cancer Foundation, they are helping their friend, colleague or family member by finding a cure for them.
But this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it seems that many companies have been exploiting the Breast Cancer Foundation’s popularity and name.
Most people have seen the pink Tim Tams from Arnott’s in their local supermarket. When I first saw it, I immediately picked up two or three boxes. I looked at my mother for approval, and when she saw the pink ribbon on the Tim Tam packaging, she immediately nodded in approval. When I waited at the counter, I picked up the Tim Tam packaging and started reading. Tim Tam's Pink Wish, donates 10 cents for each packet sold; I immediately put the packets back on the self.
I applaud Arnott’s for aiming to raise $150,000 through the Tim Tams Pink Wish. But I wonder, how much $150,000 is compared to the profit they'll make.
Qantas recently launched a pink aircraft, which will donate $1 for each passenger. I don't have the prices for a ticket, but I'm guessing the minimum price won't be much under $300. So I would say that $1, is about 0.5% of the profit they'll make from each passenger.
And of course there are plenty of other companies donating 10, 20 or 50 cents per $3-$20 item being sold. V8 Juices donate 10 cents for each of their specially marked juice bottles. Pascall is donating 10 cents for each of their breast cancer research marshmallows. Palmolive donates 5 cents for every pink personal care product they sell. Parker Pens donates 50 cents for each $30 of $20 pen sold. Can I guess that each donation to the Breast Cancer Foundation, will be 1-5%?
Of course this is mere speculation, and not all the figures are exact so my concerns may be unfounded. But it seems that companies have turned the Breast Cancer Foundation and its products into a brand. It seems sneaky and manipulative to me, when less than 1% of their profits will be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation. People buy the Breast Cancer Foundation Products to support Breast Cancer research and awareness, but most of their money is going to the big companies.
I'd like to see companies show some real commitment, and donate 50% of their profits to the Breast Cancer Foundation. And some of them have, so maybe not all companies are so scheming. The David Jones Charity Bear donates all the proceeds made to the Breast Cancer Foundation. Roxy has 3 shirt designs that cost $39.95 each, and where $20 is donated to the Foundation.
I'm in full support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and I love it that so many companies are raising money for them. But next time you're about to buy a Breast Cancer item, be sure that you don't buy the item thinking that the majority of your money will go to the Breast Cancer Foundation. Because unless you buy a David Jones' Charity Bear, it probably won't. If you just like the pink of it, then go ahead.
This came to me when I thought that Tim Tams were donating 1 cent per packet sold. Turns out I was wrong and they were actually donating 10 cents so it doesn't look as bad I guess xD Last night I told my brother it was 1 cent and he just started cracking up so badly. "For every 1000 packets sold $10 will be donating LMFAO ROFL LOL," said my brother. I guess I'll have to ruin his fun now. "For every 100 packets sold $10 will be donating LMFAO" is what I guess he'll say when I tell him.
I want one of those Roxy shirts xD
Just for the record, my auntie (mum's sister) has Breast Cancer. She found out pretty late because awareness in China isn't as high as Australia. Haven't heard back from her for a while, but hopefully she'll do ok.
If I got any spelling wrong, then tell me. I don't trust my MS Word and Firefox is set on US spelling xD
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