IZBU about the commercialisation of Cancer?

[IamtheZombie]

The most recent offender is the Macmillan Christmas Star campaign.

If any of Zombie's family or friends do anything even remotely resembling this she will come back to haunt them.

well that's a good question OP- I don't know alotugh more and more I am reading here that MM are not that great in fact

I much prefer money raising for the research (yeah I know the websites suck but lets face it someone must be funding all the new drugs and research), and the Hospices

Zombie will eat what her SIL puts in front of her. This will include vast amounts of champagne

Now that sounds like a good Christmas, zombie or otherwise

Zombie has always referred to herself in the 3rd person. There's a thread that was bumped recently, highlighting Zombie's creation, the reason behind it and her on going journey with cancer.

Brian loves Zombie

Its still annoying

ZINBU

YY to what's been said on commercialisation, pinkification and warrior/battling metaphors. And while we're on the subject may I also add personification to the mix? As in 'Stand Up to Cancer' as though cancer were some playground bully intentionally picking on the littler/more defenceless kids and if only we all snitch on her/him to teacher all will come right.

My husband was cremated yesterday FUCKING CANCER!!! We arent even having a tree this year to hang a bloody star on. Xmas is cancelled this year in our house.

My cancer has just come storming back , helpfully one month after they shut the cancer drugs fund so I can't get the drug my onc would like to prescribe. Funding that again would be helpful.

I don't want to be a tragic figure on a tree. I am more than this unfortunate disease and do not wish to be defined by it.

Don't read her threads then 00000101.

Ludoole I'm so very sorry for your loss.

My (younger) sister has had cancer for the last 13 years (currently undergoing more chemo before a 2nd stem cell transplant)....We've always fundraised for her specific cancer's charity, the local hospice that she has used or the specialist hospital she has been under the whole time. We'd rather the money went somewhere we will see something being done with it - IYSWIM....

My Brothers star is hanging on my tree as we speak. I never usually give to charity but this caught my eye and sent £5. I also have other photos on display all year round. How much of the £5 went to the actual charity well that's another story.

I find it hard, because I want to give but then I take in board what Zombie is saying (and has said in the past).

So, I give to local charities and I don't always give cash. The big charities have the publicity and the budget for it, the little charities (usually in our home towns) are struggling to make ends meet but are the ones who.usually provide the face to face care and support that say CRUK don't provide (because they're ploughing money into the science and medical research)

But most importantly, it isn't a game. It isn't fun. For healthy people to be dicking around on FB with various games (for example) to "raise awareness" when a loved one is fighting for their life....it sits uncomfortably with me.

Tragic figure on a tree, I don't think of it like that a all, it's a photo of my brother on holiday with a big smile on his face. Maybe I should have kept my money and just made a star/photo myself.

If it has meaning to you, Vulcan, and it.raises money in the process, then of.course it hasn't been wasted

Brian thank you

Ludoole so sorry to hear that, I can understand Christmas isn't going to be the same in your house.

I feel a bit uneasy about all this fundraising just because it is very corporate and polished, but if I knew more about how much actually went to the cause itself rather than on admin, I might feel differently.

I always love your posts zombie, wishing you a merry tipsy Christmas and zinbu

Ludoole, you have been in Zombie's thoughts and prayers since you posted the news about your husband.

SleepyForest, the cuts to the Cancer Drugs Fund is another of Zombie's hobby horses. She is fortunate enough to have begun treatment with Kadcyla® while it was still on the list so the CDF continues to fund her treatment. It is appalling that such treatment is no longer available for other cancer patients for whom it would be appropriate.

ZINBU. I get what she's saying.

Ludoole, I'm very sorry

As an possibly interesting aside, FB has reminded Zombie that exactly one year ago today her oncologist told her the following when she enquired about her prognosis:

After all the usual disclaimers about each case being different, etc. he told me that given my history and profile the evidence indicates 9 - 12 months.

Fuck you cancer.

(((>)))

Fuck you cancer indeed!

Zombie your "fuck you" attitude clearly is standing you in good stead. Long may it last

Just saw that on your FB. Doesn't seem like a year ago, so delighted you're doing well.

Ludoole I'm sorry to read that. I haven't been on the LLI board in the last couple of weeks but I have seen you threads.

Ok, I was struggling with the third person thread but can get on board with the sentiment entirely, so ZINBU.

My fucking gripe at the moment is lack of cancer drugs funding for patients in Wales who then have to move over the border, this losing their medical support network, including Macmillan nurse. I vaguely get the argument that the CDF top slices funding for treatment of other conditions but I do not believe that patients in Wales should be denied access to drugs available in England. Hence I won't be running any race for frigging life and will be donating my cash to the hospice that picks up much earlier the patients who have failed to secure funding for life extending drugs.

Senpai thinks speaking in third person is really obnoxious and distracts from the message Zombie is trying to say.

But, Senpai wonders how Zombie would like cancer research foundations that need money to continue their research should raise money?

Marketing raises money. Money funds research. To get people to donate, you need to first make them care.