Need Advice re: Susan G Komen

[Susan Otcenas]

So, a few months ago, one of our apparel vendors showed us some well designed jerseys and shorts that support breast cancer awareness. The jerseys will cost a little bit more, with extra proceeds going to benefit the Susan G Komen Foundation.

With the current kerfuffle over the defunding of Planned Parenthood, we are wondering if we should take delivery of the garments or not (due to be delivered to us in March). While we did not support their decision to defund PP, we also don't want to lose sight of all the GOOD things that SGKF does.

What do you think we should do? Your thoughts on the subject are appreciated.

Susan

[jobob]

Personally, I'm not inclined to purchase anything advertising or benefiting the SGKF. But that's just me, others may feel differently.

[tulip]

I think it has to be a business decision for you. Personally, I would not buy one, but then, I would not have bought one before the recent events. I believe that SKF and similar organizations tend to have huge overhead and very little actual benefit. Things like clothing with pink ribbons and even foot races and paraphernalia are so far removed from actual research and/or treatment. I prefer to buy my clothes because I like the clothes, enter races because I like the races, and donate to organizations that have a more direct line to whatever benefit is supposed to come from my donation.

[smilingcat]

Hi Susan,

I view the Komen Foundation as toxic brand name at this point. And all the damage control and spin on the brand name isn't helping.

At this point it is too early in the aftermath to be marketing with Komen Foundation. I think it would be a detriment to sales.

just my 2cents.

[SadieKate]

Susan - a very thoughtful question with a significant decision for you.

I've never been a big fan of SGK but I've donated in the past by supporting friends who participated in their fundraisers. Over the years, I've slowly become aware of their tactics and been more and more uncomfortable with them, to the point that I carefully consider the shade of pink I'm buying. I do not want to be associated with pinkwashing. I'd far rather give my money directly to cancer foundations - especially because cancer attacks more body parts than women's breasts. Mt Bachelor held its first snowshoe race this year and while I would dearly have loved to go, I did not because it was a SGK fundraiser. My running partner detests them. My husband detests them. And this was all before the Planned Parenthood fiasco. I guess you get the picture that I would not only not financially support them, I wouldn't wear anything with their pink ribbon.

I know many oncology nurses and breast cancer patients. Never once have I heard any mention SGK as a helpful resource.

I think there are many, many worthier organizations that spend less money on hoopla and more on research, education and health services.

Thank you for asking for our input. I appreciate it.

[bluebug32]

Wouldn't buy it. Wouldn't wear it. But I think it's great that you've left this open to discussion amongst your customers.

[Atlas]

I agree with everything said here already. I was not a fan of them before recent news and definitely am not now. I wouldn't buy any of their merchandise, but I know people who would. It's a tough decision for you to make. I don't think the recent events will blow over any time soon though.

[OakLeaf]

I agree with everyone else, especially smilingcat's observation that any association with Komen is likely to reflect badly on TE, which would be really unfortunate.

Can you cancel the order without cost?

[Susan Otcenas]

I agree with everyone else, especially smilingcat's observation that any association with Komen is likely to reflect badly on TE, which would be really unfortunate.

Can you cancel the order without cost?

It's a firestorm that I don't really need TE to be in the middle of.

Yes, we can probably cancel without cost. I hate cancelling purchase orders, because while they are not *binding* commitments, our vendors do rely on them when making production decisions & forecasting. The vendor is probably substantially down the road in the production process for these pieces, and if everyone cancels their orders, is likely to take a financial hit. I feel badly about that, because we value our vendor partners very much and want them to be financially healthy.

[Susan Otcenas]

I bought a pair of grey work-out gloves with an inconspicuous pink ribbon on them.

You might be interested in this article: http://komenwatch.org/history-politics/komens-new-logo/ SGKF has trademarked a very specific style of the pink ribbon, but the pink ribbon symbol in general is not owned by them.

[zoom-zoom]

I agree with everything said here already. I was not a fan of them before recent news and definitely am not now. I wouldn't buy any of their merchandise, but I know people who would. It's a tough decision for you to make. I don't think the recent events will blow over any time soon though.

Ditto.

[Bike Chick]

I can certainly appreciate your position, Susan, and it was nice to put this out here for our input. I wouldn't have bought them and don't buy anything with pink ribbons or SGK attached. It's not one of the charities that I support, especially after the latest development.

[PamNY]

I wouldn't buy them (but I wouldn't have before the recent controversy, either). I think you would be justified in cancelling the order.

[maillotpois]

I agree with what the others have said, and applaud you for the use of the word "kerfuffle".

[Blueberry]

Susan-

Thank you for asking such a thoughtful question. One of the many reasons I support TE.

I would not take delivery of the goods. I personally would not want to be associated with Komen now - I might have considered buying them before this controversy (I didn't know what others did). In my opinion, when a vendor chooses to manufacture a good to support a charity, they run the risk of something like this happening. Perhaps there's another way you can make it up to them? Not sure what that would be - just thinking "out loud."