Rant Susan G. Komen are Cunts!

[Rob]

My friend was having a charity event this weekend for his wife with breast cancer. He just received a C&D from Susan G. Komen saying if the event went on, they would sue him for damages. All because he used pink ribbons in the promotional material and on the fundraiser website.

That has to be the most absurd thing I've ever seen! They're supposed to be all about helping people with breast cancer, but somehow managed to trademark anything pink. Fucked up on so many different levels. Not only does he have to cancel the event, he's out all the money he spent organizing the event.

Go Fuck Yourself, Susan G. Komen! You're all a bunch of cunts!

[AmeliaG]

He should just go through with the event. I'm not a lawyer, so this should not be construed as legal advice, but are they really gonna sue a cancer patient?

[DVTimes]

Originally Posted by Rob

My friend was having a charity event this weekend for his wife with breast cancer. He just received a C&D from Susan G. Komen saying if the event went on, they would sue him for damages. All because he used pink ribbons in the promotional material and on the fundraiser website.

That has to be the most absurd thing I've ever seen! They're supposed to be all about helping people with breast cancer, but somehow managed to trademark anything pink. Fucked up on so many different levels. Not only does he have to cancel the event, he's out all the money he spent organizing the event.

Go Fuck Yourself, Susan G. Komen! You're all a bunch of cunts!

If I was you I would put that letter on your blog/facebook and say you have an event this weekend.

I would point out that you had threats to be sued.

Then I would contact the media.

Use it as an advantage.

I am sure the news would love a story like that.

Say you have spent x amount on ribbons you cannot use.

Point out its for charity.

It will give Susan G. Komen bad publicity.

And you good publicity.

By the way I am in the UK, and not heard of Susan G. Komen. Though I see pink ribbons worn by those for the UK breast cancer charity. So I am not sure if this Susan G. Komen has any claim to the pink ribbons outside the USA, if it does even within the USA.

However I would certainly publish this letter, and use it as publicity.

I presume Susan G. Komen is a charity. And would also presume that people giving money to Susan G. Komen would expect the money to be used to help people, rather than used to sue people.

[atom]

Susan G. Komen is a horrible organization. My best friends mother had breast cancer. Used to do the walk for a cure here in Minneapolis. after the 3rd year of walking they asked her not to come back the 4th if she couldn't raise at least a minimum of $750 dollars.

Here is how the Komen foundation loves to sue other charities. Susan G. Komen Foundation Elbows Out Charities Over Use Of The Word 'Cure'

[DVTimes]

Originally Posted by atom

Susan G. Komen is a horrible organization. My best friends mother had breast cancer. Used to do the walk for a cure here in Minneapolis. after the 3rd year of walking they asked her not to come back the 4th if she couldn't raise at least a minimum of $750 dollars.

Here is how the Komen foundation loves to sue other charities. Susan G. Komen Foundation Elbows Out Charities Over Use Of The Word 'Cure'

It sounds like they are more interested in power games than helping people.

As I say I would put the letter on your blog/facebook page.

I would question how they found out about this tiny event. It sounds like they are paying people to spend all day searching on the net.

It does not sound like they use the money for what it was given for.

If this was the UK, I am not sure they could do what they are doing. I am surprised if this was legal in the USA.

I would put a complaint in about this and contact your MP (or whatever the USA version is of an MP).

[Va2k]

Hey I am in the states, lets put everything in my name, expect for where the funds go you keep that I want no part of the money. Fuck her..

[baddog]

Too bad your friend has not been paying attention. This has been going on for years

[loreen]

Originally Posted by DVTimes

It will give Susan G. Komen bad publicity.

Oh, almost everybody in the breast cancer community hates them.
They spend most of the money on events and prevention and very little on actually getting a cure.

Look for the #pinkisnotacure hashtags.

[loreen]

Originally Posted by Va2k

Fuck her..

Unfortunately she died from breast cancer.
Her family (her sister I think?) is the one to blame.

[DVTimes]

If I was you I would complain to:

BBB Wise Giving Alliance Seal Confirmation Page
Charity Navigator - Your Guide To Intelligent Giving | Home

Send them a copy of the letter.

Question why a charity is using funds to sue people.

Question why a charity is making the lady suffer and upset her.

I would contact all the media I could, not just in the USA but UK, Germany and so on.

I would write to all your politicians, send them the letter and ask why a charity is allowed to act like this.

If this was the UK, and a charity did this, it would be front page of the Daily Mail, and the next day they would probably end up shutting down.

[Va2k]

Originally Posted by loreen

Unfortunately she died from breast cancer.
Her family (her sister I think?) is the one to blame.

OH god damn so sorry to hear that!

[NALEM]

Originally Posted by Rob

He just received a C&D from Susan G. Komen saying if the event went on, they would sue him for damages. All because he used pink ribbons in the promotional material and on the fundraiser website.

Was he using the exact same pink ribbon design that belongs to Komen? If so they are in the right.

Originally Posted by DVTimes

If I was you I would put that letter on your blog/facebook and say you have an event this weekend.

I would point out that you had threats to be sued.

Then I would contact the media.

Use it as an advantage.

I am sure the news would love a story like that.

Say you have spent x amount on ribbons you cannot use.

Point out its for charity.

It will give Susan G. Komen bad publicity.

And you good publicity.

However I would certainly publish this letter, and use it as publicity.

I presume Susan G. Komen is a charity. And would also presume that people giving money to Susan G. Komen would expect the money to be used to help people, rather than used to sue people.

Risky but nonetheless excellent advice. Use the C&D in your favor. Furthermore, your friend may consider making some small but important steps to minimize the damage from a potential lawsuit:

- replace the Komen ribbon online
- give credit to Komen on the website and in any printed material for using their ribbon before
- reprint any materials he intended to hand out at the event itself, replacing the Komen ribbon,
- publish the Komen C&D letter online, and insert it with any printed materials being handed out
- encourage a "write in" campaign from his supporters to Komen

Good luck!