I Didn’t ‘Free the Tatas’ and Here’s Why
By Julie Tippey
On Monday October 13th, many so called 'supporters' took to various social media
outlets to support a holiday known as 'No Bra Day' in order to voice their encouragement
for those diagnosed with Breast Cancer. While the idea of supporting those who are
diagnosed with and fighting cancer is valid, important and necessary, the underlying
message behind this holiday is not one of support.
October is widely known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the United States and
is the calendar home to a variety of events meant to raise money for those fighting
this cancer. Unfortunately, as with all popular movements in the U.S. Breast Cancer
Awareness Month and its number one supporter, the Susan G Komen foundation have
sought to turn the fight against cancer into a profit machine. While the management
of the Komen foundation drive around in their pink Cadillacs last year 11.2% of the Central Illinois
Population* (roughly half of those female), were unisured and forced to rely on free and drmatically
reduced cost breast and cervical care programs.
At the same time, we see other companies profiting in the name of breast cancer
research by using the sexual stigma of the breast, namely the Save the Tatas
Foundation. This organization uses the slogan 'Save the Tatas' which creates a focus
not on the individual fighting breast cancer, but on the loss or potential loss of a body
part that can be sexualized and more importantly, sold.
No Bra Day is not a day that celebrates those fighting breast cancer. It is a day that
celebrates breasts, period. By removing my bra for one day, I’m not helping someone
fight their battle nor am I giving anything to an organization that is researching viable
cures and treatments for breast cancer. I am simply not wearing a bra.
In the end, No Bra Day is just a celebration of breasts, and honestly isn’t that every
day of the year? October is meant to be a month dedicated to creating awareness of a
health issue facing millions of Americans. It serves as a springboard for donations and
campaigns that continue the full year around. No Bra Day leaves this idea behind and
instead creates a day where able and unaffected individuals can flaunt their untouched
breasts, and feel as if they have supported a cause. It is also worth noting that No Bra
Day is not supported by any national research foundation or fundraising campaign and
therefore doesn’t generate any revenue to assist in research or treatment of this cancer,
it merely generates hashtags.
So for those of you who want to support those who have been diagnosed with and
are affected by breast cancer, make sure you give your ‘support’ a second and critical
thought. Give your time and more importantly your money to organizations that are
truly dedicated to fighting cancer instead of making bank. Most importantly, don’t fall
victim to the sexualization of cancer. Cancer patients are people, and it’s those people
we are trying to save, not their “tatas”.
For more information on donation sites visit www.charitynavigator.org/breastcancer
*Courtesy of the Tazewell County Health Department
