The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation recently revamped it's entire campaign landscape. There's been a name change -- Susan G. Komen for the Cure -- and an infusion of more than $1 million into advertising, and a logo redesign, and a whole slew of new slogans intended for magazines and websites and billboards and t-shirts.These changes mark the 25-year anniversary of one woman's gift to her sister, Susan G. Komen, who lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of 36. This gift -- the now powerful Susan G. Komen for the Cure -- is most known for its Komen Race for the Cure, a nationwide fundraising and awareness campaign featuring races attended by more than one million participants.
Soon, this group may be known for even more.
Sister Nancy G. Brinker, a breast cancer survivor herself, says, "It's high time we took ownership of the strides we've made and declare our uncompromising commitment."
Brinker's declarations are flying. Some people think they are offensive. Others disagree. I won't share my opinion on this Thought for the Day just yet -- because I don't want to sway any opinions. But I'd love to hear your take on this Komen approach to stamping out breast cancer.
Think about this:
Some print and poster ads will feature a woman wearing a tank-style undershirt that says, "When we get our hands on breast cancer, we're going to punch it, strangle it, kick it, spit on it, choke it and pummel it until it's good and dead. Not just horror movie dead but really, truly dead. And then we're going to tie a pink ribbon on it."
Another ad states, "We only focus on one thing. Or, depending on how you look at it, two."
Another states, "If you're going to stare at my breasts, ... you could at least donate a dollar to save them."











1. Seems to me that the millions of dollars being used to change the name, logo, etc would be better well put to use in cancer research itself. We already know and recognize the name so why spend so much money to add "for the cure" after it and change anything. It also seems to me that some of their new slogans are directed at men to get donations. Mixed emotions here on those slogans. Younger targeted markets might think they are cute.
Posted at 10:25PM on Mar 9th 2007 by Vicki Blankenship