The Pinker Picture

I watched a few NFL games this past weekend and was asked by my baby sister, “Why are the men wearing pink shoes?” My response to her was, “Because real men wear pink.” She laughed and shook her head. What she may not have realized is that I meant what I said. hundreds of NFL players are wearing pink to show the organization’s support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The National Football League Players Association calls its program, “A Crucial Catch.” Throughout October, NFL games feature players, coaches, and referees wearing pink game apparel, on-field pink ribbon stencils, special game balls, and pink coins – all to help raise awareness for breast cancer. All apparel worn at games by players and coaches, along with game balls and pink coins will be auctioned off at NFL auctions and the proceeds will provide benefits to women in underserved communities.

It amazes me that we, as a country have come so far. We can’t turn on a television, watch an NFL game, or take the bus and not see or hear about it. 

This wasn’t necessarily the case 60 years ago. In 1952, the first peer-to-peer support group formed, called Reach to Recovery. The American Cancer Society’s program helps males and females cope with their breast cancer experience. It is an experience that begins when someone is faced with the possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis and continues throughout the entire period that breast cancer remains a personal concern. 

A friend of mine told me how his mother is dealing with breast cancer treatment for the 2nd time in the last six years and how it has affected his family. 

His aunt had breast cancer and passed away in 2008, she had been fighting it for 12 years he said. Since I was 11 years old, and I can tell you that even over the last decade the awareness and dedication to helping people with dealing with Breast cancer has increased.

 An instructor told me, that her mother was avoided and asked; was the cancer contagious. Her mothers own brothers even tried to avoid her as much as they could, simply afraid of what they didn’t know. 

Now with much more sufficient technology and research, we have been able to go as far as raising funds to help find a cure for the disease. Through its network of volunteers, breast cancer patients received support and up-to-date information, including literature for spouses, children, friends, and other loved ones.

While looking at a lot of trends I also picked up on one. I’ve seen people with “I love Boobies”


bracelets or “ love racks big or small, just save them all” t-shirts. But it wasn’t this past week, or month even; this has been a trend for a few months now, meaning NBCAM has grabbed the attention of the “right” crowd, teens.

Maybe it was catchy t-shirt designs for girls, or guys happy that they can wear something that says “ boobies” and not be asked to take it off, it sparked. 

Unlike Myspace or Facebook, this isn’t a trend that can be logged into, or can run out of style. It’s something of significant importance, and that’s probably the coolest thing about NBCAM being “cool” to teens.

 It’s not something that won’t be in the next year, and with the way it’s going, I can say the t-shirts and bracelets will be worn year round. 

Keeping the status of Breast Caner Awareness up to date is not about who spreads the word, it is about spreading a cause and that’s the what the “Pinker Picture” is all about.