Day 13: Bath Pillows

One of the first places I went where I was completely inundated with pink ribbon merchandise was Bed, Bath and Beyond.  It was also the first place where I became so obsessed with finding pink ribbon crap that I actually found myself getting pissed if I saw something pink and it DIDN'T have a pink ribbon on it (I'm talking to you, pink Turby Twist!)

The object of my quest was a pink curling iron that I had seen in the most recent BBB circular.  More on the curling iron in a later post.

I almost fell over when I saw this little gem

Now, I'll be perfectly honest.  This actually IS a good concept.  Soaking in the tub is actually a really good time for a woman to do a breast self exam (and although there is debate on the effectiveness of BSE, I'm not here to argue that).  So, seeing the pink ribbon as you sink down in to a hot bath MAY actually make a difference.

I went ahead and called Better Bath to ask them about this product.  While the young gentleman at first seemed confused, it only took him two times checking with his manager to find out that 30% of the proceeds are donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  That is the highest percentage I've seen yet!

So, I guess it is safe to say that bath pillows DO in fact fight breast cancer.  Congrats!

Day 12: Chicken Sausage

I just find this to be completely hilarious.  I have a new recipe for these breakfast muffin thing-a-bobs and thought it would be good with some chicken sausage.  Little did I know that I would also be supporting breast cancer awareness.  There is no indication of any donation...just a morning reminder every time you reach for your chicken sausage to be "aware" of breast cancer.

Thanks, chicken sausage. 

Oh, and in case you thought chicken sausage was the only delicious breakfast food that supports breast cancer awareness, you clearly haven't been paying attention.

Don't worry, I didn't forget about the yogurt, but that one deserves an entire day!

Day 11: Bagels

I'm going to give Panera credit on this one.  In years past, their "pink ribbon bagels" were actually colored pink and in the shape of a ribbon.  No self-respecting bagel should ever be pink, in my opinion.  So, I am glad to see that this year's bagel is colored with fruit and looks a lot less disguisting (if you like fruit in your bagel, which I enjoy only slightly more than a pink bagel).

Anyway, Panera is all over this one.  Here's my brother-in-law's recent purchase on our way to the pre-Oktoberfest breakfast in Newport, RI.

Ok, Panera, we get it.  

Someone messaged me about the pink ribbon bagel (maybe Molly?) and that they were really pushing them at her Panera.  One nice thing is that the local shops get to choose the organization that they benefit.  My recollection is that $.10 of every one sold benefits said organization.  So, that's good, I guess.  I think that if it weren't for the blatant showmanship of the atomic pink to-go box, I'd give Panera two thumbs up.

Here's something interesting.  I have not seen a SINGLE pink product or promotion in any of the Starbucks I have been in this month (minus one chalkboard advertising the upcoming MSABC in Newport).

I have to say, I'm shocked and happy to make that report.  Thanks Starbucks, for being my one and only bastion of nothing pink in this otherwise pink-washed month!

Day 10: 80s Music

I'm known to listen to Pandora at work and since I'm apparently too cheap to pay the subscription, I'm subjected to the occasional ad.  I cracked up when this one floated across the screen:

I'll give Belk credit.  Their website reports that they are committed to giving $3 million over 3 years to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Ok, good job, Belk.  I don't get the teddy bear, but good job, nonetheless.

Later that very same day, I turned on my TV and the U-Verse 80s music station was on.  

There is no claim to support any organization or to be raising any money so I didn't bother trying to find out who to call (who DO you call for this one??).

All I'll say is, THANKS, Loverboy, for the breast cancer awareness.

Day 9: Halloween Costumes

There are literally no words.  Oh, wait, yes there are.  $30 for what is essentially six feet of pink ribbon?  WOW.

Day 8: DUIs

Ahhh, fall in New England!  I was lucky enough to be able to visit my sister and her husband in Newport this weekend.  There was a lot of talk about the blog and the overwhelming response we've been getting.  I even figured out how to look at my "stats" and I'm amazed at how many page views I've had and the diversity of the countries (although I think I know who my reader is in Jordan!).

On our last day, we sat down at the Hungry Monkey.  Two opposable thumbs way up.  As a casual breakfast restaurant, we were given paper placemats with some Rhode Island trivia and ads all the way around.

The pink ad at the bottom caught all of our attention as everything pink seems to do this month. 

I haven't had a chance to call during business hours, but I can't wait to hear how much of a DUI or divorce attorney fee is used to fight breast cancer.

Day 7: Pink Sharpies

Ah, the inspiration for this blog, the pink Sharpie.  As an event planner, I really don't go anywhere without a Sharpie.  Normally I have an assortment of colors (including pink back in my ACS days...now teal for my BEAM event color).  I really love Sharpies, I mean really.  If I was trapped on a desert island and could pick three things to bring, one of them would probably be a Sharpie because at the very least, you could play Tic-Tac-Toe on your leg while waiting to be rescued.
So of course the two pack of pink Sharpie markers on full display in mid-September caught my eye.

It turns out, $.10 from every purchase goes towards "City of Hope", (which on my cursory investigation is an NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Center (not easy to do) and seems to be a very reputable organization located in California.).  They will donate UP TO $100,000.  Wow, that sounds really really great. 

Here's the rub.  The pink Sharpie pack cost something like $4.24.  The identical two pack of the black Sharpies cost $1.49 (to be fair, I lost the receipt since this purchase in September, but same basic concept.).  Ok, so follow me here, because math is not my strong suit...In order to get to their full donation of $100,000, $.10 at a time, a total of ONE MILLION packs of pink Sharpies will need to be sold. 

So, by that math, if the retail price difference between pink and black is $2.75, that is an additional $2,750,000 in Sharpie revenue.  Seriously, someone check my math.

I spoke with "Dennis" at the Sharpie info number and he had no idea about the donation amount in the past, but was quick to let me know that you can ALSO fight breast cancer by submitting a signature on the Sharpie website.  I checked the website and people are uploading signatures to which Sharpie is awarding $1 for signature, up to $10,000.  Two weeks ago, there were 69 signatures.  Now, almost halfway through the month, there are 141.  That is a long way to go to max out that donation.

Here is something I hadn't even counted on while researching this entry.  If you Google "Sharpie", you are taken to their "Global Landing Page" where you can pick your country.  I only looked at a few (UK, Canada, Australia) and NONE of them are featuring a breast cancer promotion.

Huh, does this type of "cause marketing" not sell in other countries?  Go figure.  And, to be honest, I did buy the Sharpies...I mean, come on, I'm a wedding planner, why wouldn't I want pink Sharpies...plus it fights breast cancer!