To think some people need to lighten up!

[daisy0chain]

The makeup free selfie thing on FB.

Been on FB and seen a lot of comments saying 'what's the point, it won't cure breast cancer' etc etc.

Obviously it won't, it's about raising awareness. Ok so you might go in FB and see a bunch of girls with no make up but I see my entire news fees talking about breast cancer awareness.

It's amazing marketing for an amazing charity and best of all its free. It's coming up for the end of the financial year when a lot of people in companies are discussing which charity to support in the coming year.

I accept not everyone is up for having a pic of themselves minus the slap but it's a bit of fun to get people speaking about a good cause!

A post off FB from one of my school friends who is currently undergoing treatment. She has said the following:-

"I see a lot of people saying that the selfie pictures even along with the posting of charity donations is vain. Personally I don't think it's about vanity. It's women stripping back the war paint and showing that we are all the same under the make up. It could happen to any of us. It's a shame that this is being over shadowed by the negativity surrounding the selfie. The importance for everyone to check themselves could save a life, the £5 donated could be the £5 needed to uncover something brilliant. It might not, but it might. Not everyone can afford to spare £5 but a picture takes seconds and it might inspire someone else to donate when they wouldn't have before"

One of my Facebook friends has just posted a status calling people who don't want to do the selfies "selfish bitches". Talk about needing to lighten up! She not only did a selfie, she plastered her son with makeup for the male equivalent. The poor kid looks mortified, but of course that's not selfish!

The problem is, cancer isn't a 'light' issue. Selfies and stupid statuses about where people put their handbags are making light of a very serious, sensitive subject. Slacktivism like this can actually be damaging to a cause because people feel like they have contributed by sharing a selfie rather than actually doing something like donating or volunteering. Also people posting about how bad they think they look without makeup could be offensive to cancer survivors who have lost their hair or even body parts. I saw someone post this response, which I think says it all:
"My selfie this was me 5 months ago age 38 with invasive ductal carcinoma stage 3 dcis this is what looking rough really looks like."

Topaz she sounds a bit completely and entirely bonkers.

I saw this on another thread and thought I would share it:-

www.justgiving.com/cancerresearchuk

I think that speaks volumes too.

I find it hard to 'lighten up' about this, given that a really good friend died of cancer in November, and that both my beloved MIL and my godmother have recently been told there is no more the doctors can do for the, apart from palliative care.

Chances are neither one will see next Christmas, and I will have to be there for my mum (my godmother is a friend who she really values), and my dh, BIL and my sons.

I doubt any make up free selfies are going to console them, or make up for the loss of these special people.

As far as I am aware, it was only when there was a backlash against these selfies that some people started adding links to Cancer Research UK or sites advising on self examination.

Ok I'll explain once more. The lighten up part is in reference to people being offended over the selfie for no other reason than the think it's vain or they don't like selfies.

I have never once made light of people who have cancer and have said I along with friends and family have been victim to or have seen the devastating effect this horrible disease can have on others.

Well I was offended by the selfies at the beginning, that had no links to donate or to learn about self examination, but were just 'if you hate cancer, post a selfie' - as if those of us who didn't post them love cancer and couldn't care less about a cure!

It was that 'feel' about the whole thing that offended me so much. When people are getting abuse for not liking the selfies or not wanting to do one, that doesn't help cancer awareness or fundraising - it just hurts those of us whose lives are being broken apart by cancer.

See I will say I haven't seen that on my FB thankfully

I'm worried because someone has just nominated my best friend. She lost her mum to cancer when she was young and it's a bit raw for her with Mother's Day coming up, she couldn't be more aware of cancer. She also doesn't go out without makeup because she has red skin from childhood sun damage and low self esteem from her EA father. She'll be upset if someone implies that she doesn't care about cancer because she doesn't want to do a no makeup selfie, it's a bit insensitive.

Well she doesn't have to. Is someone is a dick to her then I would hope friends like you would be right in her corner telling them to fuck right off.

What a shame for your friend. One of my friends lost his Mum and comes off FB every year in the lead up to mothers day because he hates seeing posts regarding it.

Hope she isn't too upset.