We're a nation of people that want to help fight the good fight. We want to help each other. We want to knock out cancer! And, sadly, sometimes, people take advantage of our goodness. 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there are so many wonderful organizations that are helping to stop breast cancer, to help people dealing with breast cancer and to educate people so they'll be their own best advocates in the often difficult-to-navigate medical world. Join the Journey comes to mind.

Pink springs up everywhere in October, a lot of businesses feature items for purchase that donate a % of the price to the cause. But beware...ask what percent'll goes to fight breast cancer, and where it goes. I was traveling and saw a pink tool kit with a sticker that said, "Help Support Breast Cancer Awareness!" Guess the percent that went to support breast cancer awareness.

Zero. That sticker asked YOU to support awareness. It said nothing about the company doing the same. Which is sad...it means marketing groups are taking advantage of our desire to do the right thing.

The latest large scale example is the NFL. According to this story,

...after everyone has taken their cut, only 8.01% of money spent on pink NFL merchandise is actually going towards cancer research.

Is that the percent you envisioned when you bought the merchandise? Is it enough? If yes, then go for it. Buy the stuff. If not, save your money and spend it where it'll do the most good. That may just be a local restaurant or store that gives the money to a local non-profit.

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