By The Breast Cancer Action Team
In the last week of Pinktober, we wanted to be sure you saw the most important action of our Think Before You Pink® campaign, and we are calling on you to take action today. Join us and email Susan G. Komen® directly. Ask the organization to stop banking on breast cancer and divest from pinkwashing now. More details below.
This year’s Think Before You Pink® campaign, Stop Banking on Breast Cancer, calls out Susan G. Komen® and their Pink Ribbon Banking Program, in partnership with Bank of America. The affiliated pink ribbon banking cards are a blatant example of pinkwashing.
We are asking you to join us in our boldest, most unapologetic action of the campaign: email Susan G. Komen® directly and urge the mega-nonprofit to phase out the Pink Ribbon Banking Program with Bank of America, a primary funder of the fossil fuel industry, the industry that is fueling the climate and breast cancer crises.
The Pink Ribbon Banking Program creates a perfect profit cycle: the bank uses the goodwill of a pink ribbon promotion, a breast cancer organization, and your purchases to increase their profits. These funds are then invested in the fossil fuel industry, which drives the breast cancer and climate crises.
We are far too familiar with the impacts of the fossil fuel industry. Fossil fuel infrastructure exposes us to harmful chemicals such as benzene, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, and PFAS, all along the continuum. These chemicals can increase breast cancer risk. And communities on the frontlines, often low-income or people of color, always bear the heaviest toxic burden.
Breast cancer is a public health crisis and a social justice issue. To address this disease that impacts so many people, all breast cancer organizations must get to the causes at the core of the problem, not partner with organizations that are perpetuating harm. Komen cannot claim its mission to be eradicating breast cancer while maintaining such close ties to an industry that fuels this health crisis.
It’s time to demand the immediate end of the Pink Ribbon Banking Program with Bank of America. Taking action is easy with our online tool. Join us and tell Komen why they must phase this program out, stop banking on breast cancer, and divest from pinkwashing.