Pink drill bits for the cure: unfortunately, not satire.
By Caitlin Carmody, Online Communications Coordinator
Since news broke yesterday about Susan G. Komen’s partnership with global fracking corporation Baker Hughes, the response has been swift, furious, and huge. Many people have wondered whether these pink drill bits are satire and whether The Onion came up with it. Unfortunately, no and no.
Here’s the deal: Susan G. Komen has partnered with Baker Hughes, a leading global fracking corporation, to distribute 1,000 pink drill bits “for the cure.” This “Doing Our Bit for the Cure” partnership is a classic – and egregious – example of pinkwashing: Baker Hughes and Komen claim to care about breast cancer, but at least 25% of chemicals used in fracking increase our risk of cancer. So why is the largest breast cancer organization in the world partnering with a corporation that is increasing our risk of cancer through the toxic chemicals they’re pumping into the ground?
Good question, and one the media has rightly jumped on. Here’s just a snapshot of the press we’ve gotten on this issue since yesterday:
- Mother Jones: Fracking Chemicals, Brought to You By Susan G. Komen
- Truthout: Komen and the Pinkwashed Drill Bit: Fracking “For the Cure”
- Feministing: Fracking company honors the victims of the breast cancer they help cause with pink drill bits
- New York Magazine: Fracking Company Produces Pink Drill Bits in the Name of Breast-Cancer Research
- The Huffington Post: Susan G. Komen Partners With Fracking Firm, Despite Possible Cancer Links
- Jezebel: Komen and Fracking Company Team Up to Cause and Cure Breast Cancer
- Medscape: Curing or Causing? Komen Partners With Fracking Company
If you’re outraged about Komen’s latest pinkwashing, TAKE ACTION: sign our petition to Komen founder Nancy Brinker demanding they stop pinkwashing and stop fracking with our health. Tell Komen that this is unacceptable – our health is not for sale.
7 Comments
Blindly raising money from any source is a doomed business model. Stop this immediately.
This takes ‘pinkwashing’ to a new level.
Sincerely, a 19 year breast cancer survivor!!
I had no idea thia was happening….
Shame on Susan Komen
I am deeply offended by the merchandising of a terrible disease. Shame on Komen and any individual or organization that participates in this kind of thing.
Actually fraking has no link to cancer at all. That is environmental moron propaganda. In fact there isnt a single piece of scientific evidence by any non bias agency that shows a single problem with fraking. Stop being such over zealous idiots and do some actual research.
A comment like “at least 25% of chemicals used in fracking increase our risk of cancer” is nonsensical and meaningless. What chemicals are you talking about? What concentration? How are they being used?
I agree with you in principal, but maybe do a little research before making such a blank statement. It’s just in Vogue to criticize anything ‘Frac’ associated.