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.

[Selkie]

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

I'm with Jo on this one.

[lph]

Since you asked directly "what should we do", here's what I think (coming from a complete outsider who had never heard of Susan G. Komen before now and still just has a vague idea of what it's all about):

- set up a anonymous poll letting people vote on whether they would buy a garment supporting the foundation or not. There may be lots of people who do support them but don't particularly feel like piping up. Your own personal opinion should play a part too, of course.

- if the majority do say "no", get in touch with the vendor, let them know that you would like to buy from them but your customers have made it clear that they do not want to support the foundation, and that that is the reason you are cancelling. If you feel like pursuing it, contact the foundation too.

The vendor may choose to stop supporting that particular foundation. The foundation may get so much bad feedback that they reconsider. I dunno, but if you do choose an active boycott, it's a lot more effective if you clearly state why.

Good luck whatever you do. And thank you for asking for our opinions!

[OakLeaf]

It's not a boycott at all. If SGK were on the list of charities to which TE donated, then taking it off that list would be a boycott, but I don't think they ever were?

Maybe you don't even have this kind of thing in Norway. SGK is most notorious for it and may have started the practice, but in the USA we have all kinds of products sold by private corporations, tagged prominently with the logo of some charity, sometimes costing more than the identical non-tagged product, and promising to make some minuscule donation to that charity for every product sold. I find the whole practice repellent, honestly, much as Tulip said, whether the alleged beneficiary is Komen, Livestrong, some phony invented veterans' charity (a particularly common front for scammers in the US), or even something that I would support with a direct donation. It's a purely profit motivated attempt by manufacturers not affiliated with the charity to make themselves seem benevolent. And to take a tax deduction (albeit usually an exceedingly small one) from money collected collected from their customers, not from their own profits.

Susan's question was whether to offer some of that product in her store. Not whether to boycott other products of whatever manufacturer it is. Which she wisely hasn't said, and shouldn't.

[lph]

okdoke. Like I said, I'm not very familiar with the details.

eta: but yes, I did use the term boycott wrongly. What I meant was simply refusing to buy something for political or ethical reasons, whether it's her own reasons, or the reasons given by her customers.

[Sky King]

Susan,

What a quandary, ugh. I appreciate that you are also concerned for your supplier. I had a great conversation with a friend who said "why celebrate cancer?" that is her perception of SGK. So let's celebrate life, living, biking, each other - why I have always liked the Life is Good logos

Good luck with the decision and I will do my best to purchase a jersey or something from TE to help shoulder the cost of any loss of income from the decision to not bring in the SGK clothing.

[Crankin]

The whole "pink" thing has always pissed me off, as if you were "for" breast cancer if you didn't buy into it. I did a walk one year, on the urging of a friend, and it was way too much pink brainwashing for me. I would much rather give to a local hospital or institution (like the Brigham or MGH) that does real prevention, research, and care.
Just my opinion. I wouldn't have bought the product before and I won't buy it now.

[TsPoet]

Surprising how many "wouldn't have bought it anyway", and I'm another one.
But, I guess I "forgive" SGK, they claim their decision was not based on politics, and I'd like to cut them a break and believe them. They've also fired a sacrificial lamb and apologized.
All of the objections to SGK are valid, but big organizations like that do get attention, we've all heard of them! and that's what's needed.
Sorry you are having to make this decision.

[Susan Otcenas]

I'd like to thank all of you for your thoughtful answers. It was a big help.

I'm inclined to cancel the order based on your feedback. I've sent an email to the vendor and am waiting for a response.

[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.