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Think Before You Pink
10/02/08 - 02:57 PM
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and stores are filled with products bearing that familiar pink ribbon. 

The products are part of a growing trend, promising customers that part of their purchase goes toward fighting the disease. But how do you know if what you’re buying is really benefiting the cause you want to support?

In Panama City, There’s No Place Like Hope carries an array of items especially for cancer patients, and a number of cancer awareness items like pins, magnets, and buttons.
“Everything that you see here in our shop, somehow a portion of it always goes back to cancer research, and it’s various types of cancer, but especially breast cancer,” says owner Sheila Surber.

Retailers like Estee Lauder and Bath and Body Works have embraced the trend with products that promise a donation to cancer organizations.

But if a company promises a certain contribution to the charity and that amount has been reached, it’s likely your purchase won’t count toward that goal. 

Others tell you a portion of your purchase goes to charity but not how much.

A group called Breast Cancer Action has been running an annual campaign called “Think Before You Pink” to make consumers more aware.

Companies like Avon and Clinique tell you exactly how much of the price goes to charity.

Jolene Bryant with the American Cancer Society says you should also find out more about the organizations do with those donations.
   
“All of them do contribute some of their money to research, as well as the American Cancer Society, but they also have other things that they fund, such as grants for seminars, and things of that nature. So it kind of all goes to the same thing in a general sense, but ours definitely goes toward finding a cure for cancer,” says Bryant.

Whether you’re buying a pin or a water bottle, the underlying message is to be a smart shopper. 

Experts say if you really want to know how much of your money is going to charity, just make a direct donation.