50 signatures reached
To: UK Breast Cancer charities; UK Government
De-pinkify Breast Cancer
We want to get rid of the pink ribbon which is associated with breast cancer, as well as the pink washing of breast cancer charities websites and events! Our proposed replacement ribbon would be black with silver edges. The black represents the deaths caused by breast cancer- the fact it doesn’t discriminate between genders and is a devastating and life changing illness. However, every cloud (ribbon) has a silver lining, and this represents breast cancer survivors, hope for the future and a cure.
Even if charities do not take up this proposed new ribbon, we want to see a marked de-pinkification of Breast Cancer on their part and government legislation to support this.
Even if charities do not take up this proposed new ribbon, we want to see a marked de-pinkification of Breast Cancer on their part and government legislation to support this.
Why is this important?
1) The colour pink makes breast cancer seem like a soft, kind, caring cancer... the ‘nice’ cancer, the consolation prize... “oh you have cancer? Oh at least it’s only breast cancer”. NO! Breast Cancer is dangerous, gruesome and potentially fatal and the pink ribbon does not reflect this! You wouldn’t dilute blood cancer or lung cancer down, so why do it to breast cancer?
2) Pink is typically (wrongly) associated with women. Many people do not realise that men can get breast cancer too! The pink ribbon and current discourse around breast cancer not only excludes men, potentially leaving them unaware of the symptoms and ways to check themselves, but also creates a stigma for those men who are affected by breast cancer, which needs breaking down in order for them to feel comfortable seeking help and accessing the support of breast cancer charities.
2) Pink is typically (wrongly) associated with women. Many people do not realise that men can get breast cancer too! The pink ribbon and current discourse around breast cancer not only excludes men, potentially leaving them unaware of the symptoms and ways to check themselves, but also creates a stigma for those men who are affected by breast cancer, which needs breaking down in order for them to feel comfortable seeking help and accessing the support of breast cancer charities.
How it will be delivered
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