Pink-ribbon products are popping up all over - on grocer's shelves, at bakeries, even on the feet of professional football players. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, when products often are marketed as having a tie-in to charities that help victims or support cancer research.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises consumers to research charities and cause-related products carefully before making a donation or buying a pink-ribbon product.
According to the American Cancer Society, there will be 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed this year, and 40,290 people will die from the disease. Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and it is second to lung cancer as a leading cause of cancer death for women.
Unfortunately, some fraudulent charities try to cash in on the pink-ribbon frenzy, so donors should do their homework before they make a donation or buy a pink-ribbon product.
For example, you should check products over carefully if your primary reason for buying them is to support the charity. Sometimes there's information on the label that indicates how much of your purchase will go to charity and which charity will get the money. Check the product for a website address where you can find more information.
If the information isn't readily available, you can call the company and ask for it. The company should be willing to provide the information. If it isn't, it could be a sign something is amiss. You also could contact the charity to determine whether they are aware of any contributions by the company or individual that's selling the product.
If you want to donate directly to a breast cancer charity, BBB advises donors to:
• Be wary of appeals that are long on emotion, but short on describing what the charity will do.
• If you contribute, do not give cash. Make a check or money order out to the name of the charitable organization, not to the individual collecting the donation.
• Watch out for excessive pressure for on-the-spot donations. Be wary of any requests to send a "runner" to pick up your donation.
• Be wary of charities that are reluctant to answer reasonable questions about their operations, finances and programs. Ask how much of your gift will be used for the activity mentioned in the appeal and how much will go toward other programs and administrative and fundraising costs.
Before you do business with a charity or company, check its BBB Business Review or BBB Charity Review at bbb.org or by calling 314-645-3300.
Chris Thetford is vice president of marketing and communications for Better Business Bureau in St. Louis.