WIDNES, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Gemma Davison of Liverpool Ladies takes part in the 'Ice Bucket Challenge' after the FAWSL match between Liverpool Ladies and Notts County Ladies at Select Security Stadium on August 24, 2014 in Widnes, England. (Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/The FA via Getty Images) (Photo: )
A graphic created by Vox perfectly captures this discrepancy between the causes we donate money to and the diseases that kill us. "You'll notice that large fundraisers can have a pretty significant impact on raising money for causes -- and also that there are big gaps between the diseases that affect the most people and those that net the most money and attention," Julia Belluz wrote for the site.
Of course, there are any number of life-altering illnesses worthy of greater awareness, research and understanding. But as the graphic below shows, the latest ice bucket meme or pinkwashing gimmick isn't always the greatest indicator of which causes most desperately need our attention.
To make meaningful change in the lives of those living with breast cancer, Breast Cancer Action is urging advocates to "move beyond 'awareness' and pink ribbons" and the National Breast Cancer Coalition has set a deadline of 2020 for putting an end to breast cancer. The 2012 Breast Cancer Action Mandate urges government officials to push legislation that keeps corporations from polluting the environment and pushes pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms to prioritize patients over profits. The National Breast Cancer Coalition is calling on the president to agree to fight to end breast cancer by Jan. 1, 2020. Learn more about the petitions here and here.
Help Pass Laws To Defeat Cancer
Because of the efforts of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the ACS, insurance companies now cover measures such as mammograms. Find out how to support volunteers on Capitol Hill, reach council members and take part in other campaigns. Find a state-by-state guide for how to get involved here.
Support Grassroots Organizations
It isn’t just the organizations that offer low-cost mammograms and groundbreaking research that need your help. Consider getting involved with grassroots organizations that are tackling the issues that don’t garner mainstream attention. Breast Friends, for example, teaches family and friends of breast cancer patients how to best respond to a sufferer’s needs, so that no woman feels misunderstood and unsupported while facing the vicious disease. The Keep Abreast Foundation works specifically with young people. educating about to help eradicate breast cancer for future generations. Find out how you can get involved here.
Donate To Highly-Rated Charities
Consult with Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers' list of charities that provide funds for cancer treatment to make sure your donations have a meaningful impact. The American Breast Cancer Foundation, which provides financial assistance for breast cancer screenings and diagnostic tests for uninsured and underserved individuals, and Woman 2 Woman Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization that offers ultrasound assistance, biopsy assistance, and co-pay assistance to high risk and underserved communities, are among a number of organizations that Ironwood recommends. Learn more about the other charities here.
Learn The Facts
Why is it that Komen is getting such a bad rap for making a push for a pink-oriented campaign? Watch the documentary "Pink Ribbons, Inc.," a film that closely examines the organization’s connections to corporations and how offering up such a feminine initiative may be keeping advocates from protesting for critical change.
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