Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As you probably already know, October represents not only Halloween but the quest to find a cure for breast cancer.  Years ago the initiative was not nearly as great, but today everyone does their part- even the unexpected businesses.   It seems that the pink ribbon has become a way to sell a product, after all sometimes only 1% (or less) can go to support the cause. 

The large popcorn bucket, the biggest
seller at the movie theatre, has gone PINK!

Marcus theatres embraced pink large popcorn containers for the month with some unknown percentage going toward finding a cure.

Kohl's has also been known to be a major supporter of the cause.  They play a huge role in the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure each year, and have several product lines dedicated to raising money.  This year, they even went as far as changing the color of their sign pink.  A statue in the entranceway explains the initiative.

And now for the quirky, a billboard posted along the Marquette Interchange says that Silk Exotic, a Milwaukee Gentlemans club, will donate 10% of their cover charge during the month of October to breast cancer research.  The irony in the billboard is  is proof enough that everyone is trying to get in on the action!

It seems that the breast cancer initiative has turned into a giant FOR profit business.  Companies are stamping a pink ribbon onto a product and in turn donating only a few pennies off the dollar.  While more and more money is being raised, so too are the questions as to the ethical nature in which the money is being raked in.  How much does a consumer think they are donating when they purchase a product or service? 

And if they knew, would they still buy it?