The controversy is all over facebook. What controversy do you ask? Raising "awareness" for breast cancer by announcing how many weeks you are pregnant and what you are craving by a made up calculation based on your birth date. What seems like a "harmless" game, is breaking the hearts of thousands of women.
Why is it breaking hearts? Well, apparently whoever decided that this would be the "fun", "creative" way of raising awareness didn't take into consideration that not only is October Breast Cancer Awareness month, but in 1988 President Reagan designated it National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month as well. This said person has obviously never suffered from infertility, miscarriage, or infant loss because if she had, she would know that one of the hardest things to encounter when you are suffering through one of these devastating events is to see pregnancy announcements on facebook. It is like a punch in the gut. It reminds you of what you had, what you lost, and what you want more than anything in the world.
Over the past few days there have been hundreds, if not thousands of women announcing fake pregnancies to raise awareness for breast cancer. Does this make ANY sense to anyone? HOW may I ask does a pregnancy announcement raise awareness for BREAST CANCER? I think the bra color from last year was better, because at least it had something to do with the ta-tas. Even then, we weren't supposed to let the guys know what we were talking about? Why not? Who better to help with breast exams then our men? My doctor has even mentioned that my husband may be the first to realize there was something different about my ta-tas, because men are generally the first to notice changes in their wives boobs. So let them in on the awareness as well! Heck! How about we start an awareness campaign GEARED towards men: "Have you grabbed your wife's boobs today?" I would wear a t-shirt like that!
This kind of campaign would not only get everyone involved, make people take notice, but it wouldn't hurt so many women in the process. There is no point in a "game" that raises "awareness" if it hurts others in the process. Instead of announcing your pregnancy and craving, please do something more productive to get involved. Participate in a walk, help raise funds, dress up in all pink, but please, please, please do not take part in this ridiculous game.
Goodbye, Old Friend
3 years ago
6 comments:
I had a similar reaction this year too... Not because I ever suffered a loss, but simply b/c I don't see the point anymore. My husband and I have said many times that we would possibly notice any manner of health concern before the other one- a mole you can't see changing (skin cancer), a lump in the breast, etc. *sigh* Then again, I sorta put the days of drama behind me, esp internet drama.
I absolutely share the same view from losing a baby I think this in no way supports breast cancer but seems like a way to act like your 5. So I think there are much better ways to support breast cancer like through walk a thons and donations and other things not games for children.
I totally agree!! First of all, when I got the message about it, I was confused as to how it even worked--too many instructions. Second of all, wrong month, people. Third, I was really upset for a friend of mine (who struggles with IF) because I thought her sister was announcing her 5th pregnancy that way. Too hurtful and kind of stupid!
been reading your blog for a bit, but first time commenting. I totally agree with what you said; my sister had in her FB status yesterday "I'm 12 weeks, craving Skittles", which of course confused me, seeing how she is 57 years old. I wasn't aware of the latest campaign like this on FB, which she explained to me. It seemed a bit outstretched to me when I started thinking about it. We need breast cancer awareness, but I don't think this is perhaps the best way to go about promoting such a worthy cause. I decided not to be involved with it and I'm glad I didn't, reading your thoughts about it, because I hadn't thought about what affect it would have on people dealing with infertility, infant loss, etc. Again, very well said!
betty
THANK YOU!!!!
Totally agree. Senseless game...
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