The overall thematic representation of Breast Cancer Action (BCAction) and Susan G. Komen’s websites tells quite a bit about the organizations themselves. BCAction, with its background of black and red, aims to support system wide change and emphasizes breast cancer as an epidemic over an individual problem. Its takes on breast cancer, extend beyond mammogram screening and pink ribbons, and into less mainstream subjects, such as human “breast cancer gene” patents and the need of adequate chemical regulation. I found the content under each session quite interesting which offered me a new perspective to look at this disease.
Komen’s website, on the other hand, resembles the layout of a commercial advertisement webpage, such as the Johnson and Johnson one here. With a page wide emotional arousing photo of three children kissing their bald mother, pink banners and letters all across, the organization has employed way too many marketing schemes for its homepage. According to its website, Komen funds research, community events, health services and social support programs in the U.S. and around the globe. After browsing the website for awhile, a pop-up window appeared and asked me to share my emotional experience with Komen through social networking sites. Once again, this is very aggressive marketing techniques for a non-profit organization. This worries me because for a non-profit organization, the money raising and donation seeking comes on a bit too strong.
I noticed the same things while viewing both the BCaction site, and the Komen website. BCaction is more concerned with the real issues behind breast cancer while Komen is focused on the marketing and awareness aspect behind breast cancer.
I thought the Komen website was more worried about the business side of breast cancer. The promotion of the pink ribbon is used as a universal sign of suffering/strength for women who have had breast cancer. The pink ribbon is a strong symbol, however I believe it is also making individuals money. I don’t agree with the large mainstream use of the pink ribbon and the colour pink in general. It serves its purpose in awareness but also promotes companies banking in on the colour pink, and the pink ribbon as a symbol.
This is where I’m conflicted on the use of the colour pink and the pink ribbon as a symbol for breast cancer. Although it has been used as a marketing ploy, and as a business scheme, it does foster a strong sense of belonging for these women who have suffered from breast cancer. It allows these women to believe in something and know that others have suffered from the same disease and prospered. Believing in something is such a strong factor for individuals fighting for their lives.
My question is what site do you think reaches more people?
Which site is more effective when talking about breast cancer?
What site provides a stronger sense of hope?