Thinking Pink? Consider BBB's advice this month
October 07, 2016
BBB offers advice to people seeking to participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month
BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION, Texas—October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness about this disease. For businesses and consumers, it’s an opportunity to make a donation or support a cause for those affected by breast cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among U.S. women. During the month of October, people will see a lot of pink merchandise and claims from companies that proceeds will go to breast cancer charities. BBB is a great resource to use when looking for a trustworthy business or charity that may be supporting or donating to the cause.
“Pinkwashing” is a term used to describe dishonest companies that claim to support breast cancer awareness, but never actually fulfill their claim about donating to breast cancer charities. So, whether you are donating, shopping for “pink ribbon” merchandise or signing up to volunteer or participate in a walk or run, BBB advises you to think before you go pink this month.
Before you get involved, BBB recommends following these tips:
Shop smart. Beware of false or misleading marketing and advertising. When you’re shopping online or in stores for “pink ribbon” products that state the proceeds go to fund breast cancer research, take caution. Even if a portion of a business’s sales goes toward breast cancer research or treatment, it might still keep a majority of the sales. So, it might be more effective to give money directly to a breast cancer-related charity (or fundraiser) versus purchasing a “pink” product from a retailer that only donates a small percentage of the cost. Remember to read the fine print. Also, make sure that any pink ribbon product you buy this month actually backs the message it’s sending – and reaches those who need it most.
Donate wisely. Although this campaign brings recognition to a charitable cause, makes us feel good and might even contribute some revenue to a charity, it isn't representative of responsible giving. The first thing every consumer should do? Research! There hundreds of charities out there, and doing your homework first helps ensure you choose a trustworthy charity.
Participate carefully. Is the walk or race that you’re participating in directly contributing to the breast cancer cause? Sometimes when you register for these fun runs, a fee is required. Do your research and find out if the fee or a percentage of the required fee is going to a breast cancer related charity.
Check with BBB. BBB Wise Giving Alliance provides Charity Reports to show businesses and consumers how charities use donations. Give.org also provides giving guidance and tips to help you in your charity donation decisions.
For the latest news and information, follow us on watchyourbuck.com, Facebook and Twitter. To check out a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit bbb.org. Find other news story topics by visiting our Press Release News Center.
ABOUT BBB®: For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2015, people turned to BBB more than 172 million times for BBB Business Reviews on more than 4.7 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. BBB serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and Permian Basin, which serves 105 counties in Texas, has offices in Austin, Waco, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Midland, Bryan and Fort Worth. Your BBB is one of more than 100 local, independent BBBs across the U.S. Canada and Mexico.
BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION, Texas—October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness about this disease. For businesses and consumers, it’s an opportunity to make a donation or support a cause for those affected by breast cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among U.S. women. During the month of October, people will see a lot of pink merchandise and claims from companies that proceeds will go to breast cancer charities. BBB is a great resource to use when looking for a trustworthy business or charity that may be supporting or donating to the cause.
“Pinkwashing” is a term used to describe dishonest companies that claim to support breast cancer awareness, but never actually fulfill their claim about donating to breast cancer charities. So, whether you are donating, shopping for “pink ribbon” merchandise or signing up to volunteer or participate in a walk or run, BBB advises you to think before you go pink this month.
Before you get involved, BBB recommends following these tips:
Shop smart. Beware of false or misleading marketing and advertising. When you’re shopping online or in stores for “pink ribbon” products that state the proceeds go to fund breast cancer research, take caution. Even if a portion of a business’s sales goes toward breast cancer research or treatment, it might still keep a majority of the sales. So, it might be more effective to give money directly to a breast cancer-related charity (or fundraiser) versus purchasing a “pink” product from a retailer that only donates a small percentage of the cost. Remember to read the fine print. Also, make sure that any pink ribbon product you buy this month actually backs the message it’s sending – and reaches those who need it most.
Donate wisely. Although this campaign brings recognition to a charitable cause, makes us feel good and might even contribute some revenue to a charity, it isn't representative of responsible giving. The first thing every consumer should do? Research! There hundreds of charities out there, and doing your homework first helps ensure you choose a trustworthy charity.
Participate carefully. Is the walk or race that you’re participating in directly contributing to the breast cancer cause? Sometimes when you register for these fun runs, a fee is required. Do your research and find out if the fee or a percentage of the required fee is going to a breast cancer related charity.
Check with BBB. BBB Wise Giving Alliance provides Charity Reports to show businesses and consumers how charities use donations. Give.org also provides giving guidance and tips to help you in your charity donation decisions.
For the latest news and information, follow us on watchyourbuck.com, Facebook and Twitter. To check out a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit bbb.org. Find other news story topics by visiting our Press Release News Center.
ABOUT BBB®: For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2015, people turned to BBB more than 172 million times for BBB Business Reviews on more than 4.7 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. BBB serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and Permian Basin, which serves 105 counties in Texas, has offices in Austin, Waco, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Midland, Bryan and Fort Worth. Your BBB is one of more than 100 local, independent BBBs across the U.S. Canada and Mexico.
