Pink Ribbons, Inc.: Breast Cancer and the Politics of Philanthropy

€œSamantha King explains how, beyond being an all-too-frequent and still-too-lethal disease for many women, breast cancer is a corporate dream come true.€ €"Herizons

€œFascinating. King€s deft and thoughtful interpretation of the pink ribbon phenomenon is an important wake-up call. Going against the grain, she takes a clear-eyed look at a trend that often seems to outshine the disease that put it on the map.€ €"Women€s Review of Books

 €œKing€s criticisms of breast-cancer philanthropy provide a new means of looking at one of our culture€s most celebrated causes.  For anyone who has ever squirreled away yogurt lids for the cause, Pink Ribbons, Inc. is food for thought.€ €"Bitch

€œA fascinating read for anyone whose life has been touched by breast cancer.€ €"Curve

€œBreast cancer advocacy is being transformed from meaningful civic participation into purchasing products. To understand the personal, social, and political costs, read this book.€ €"Barbara Brenner, Executive Director of Breast Cancer Action

In Pink Ribbons, Inc., Samantha King traces how breast cancer has been transformed from a stigmatized disease and individual tragedy to a market-driven industry of survivorship. Here, for the first time, King questions the effectiveness and legitimacy of privately funded efforts to stop the epidemic among American women. Highly revelatory-at times shocking-Pink Ribbons, Inc. challenges the commercialization of the breast cancer movement.

Samantha King is associate professor of physical and health education and women€s studies at Queen€s University, in Kingston, Ontario