Wrong color ribbons

My wife and I joined friends for dinner at the local Applebee's this evening.  Half way through the meal, the staff opened the blinds, and I was surprised to see all the windows covered with pink ribbons and promotional messages for the Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure" which will take place in Chicago on Sept. 24th and 25th."

When the manager came around to ask us if we were enjoying our meal, I asked her if she was aware that September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month and that UsToo and Sea Blue are holding a walk/run on September 18th in Lincoln Park and that other similar events are being held in the Chicago area this month?  Of course, she was unaware of any of this, and she apologized for not knowing.  Obviously, it wasn't surprising that she was unaware, and I told her that I wasn't complaining, just disappointed that for whatever reason, the folks promoting prostate cancer awareness have not been able to capture the popular imagination the way the Susan Komen folks have.  I told her that it would be nice to go somewhere and see blue ribbons encouraging awareness of prostate cancer and support for efforts to find a cure.

Blue ribbons on restaurant windows would not magically lead to a cure for prostate cancer, but the popular awareness and monetary support that would flow from their display sure would be helpful.

I thought of this (slightly altered) version of the old Jim Ed Brown song, "Scarlet ribbons": 

All the stores were closed and shuttered
All the streets were dark and bare
In our town no bright blue ribbons

Only pink ones........ everywhere.

 

clock, i fully agree with your sentiments.

Clock, Bronson, great posts.

I don't suggest that you erred in this way, but I do think we need to be careful with our envy of the pink wave, that we don't get into an us/them situation --- both cancers need awareness. I know Clock and Bronson are not suggesting otherwise, but I do know of some PCa people who seem to think somehow the pink gang is stealing our rightful share, rather than understanding we're just not as good as they are at getting support ---- and, there's plenty of 'share' to go around. People who donate $25 to a pink run have $25 for a blue run, if we just get to them.

And, let's not let the success of pink make us too blue about blue. If talking about, and being examined for a below the waist cancer isn't acceptable to many men now, don't forget the ladies weren't so keen about breast talk and having them pancaked for a mamogram not that long ago either.

Keep the faith, people. We too shall someday stand proudly beside the pinkies.

Sheldon AKA Sleepless

An observation from my experience with discussing PC with others. I will openly discuss any aspect of PC with anyone if they show interest. However, I try not to force the topic on anyone. Most of my female friends ask questions and are willing to talk about it, even in some detail. Very few of my male friends will venture into the topic. A few will very generally ask about it. Many of my male friends will not even acknowledge it. My theory is men are not as comfortable at sharing in general and they cannot bring themselves to ever consider the possibility that it could happen to them.

 

Southern Comfort,

I have also found when I get the chance to speak in front of groups about my PC journey it is the women who ask more questions and show more interest. I get comments from them like I am going to ask my husband, father or grandfather what his PSA is and when he was last screened for PC. It is amazing how many men I run into who are over 50 and have no idea what the PSA test is all about or whether or not their docs even run them. My 65 year old brother in law told me his GP told him that at his age the PSA test is unreliable for PC detection and doesn't include it in his yearly blood work. All he gets is the yearly DRE. His 94 year old father is currently dying from PC that was diagnosed 10 years ago and untreated and I think his GP is bordering on total incompetence. My BIL has since started screening with a URO, but only after my sister told him to do so.

For Breast Cancer - I believe it was Betty Ford who was the first to come out, say she had breast cancer and raised the awareness. Prior to that breast cancer was simply not discussed in public forums (sch as newspapers).

I think males in general just do not talk about what is hurting them - especially if whatever it is is unseen.

I have told very very few people about my PCa. Immediate family, a few close friends - less than 20 people in total. Why have I not told others? Well I'll fall back to what I believe is the male general disposition not to talk about what is hurting them.
A hobby I got into last year is flying RC planes, I belong to two clubs and have not mentioned the PCa to anyone in either club. Why not? Well to be honest I never thought of bring up my PCa. Will I tell people now - I doubt it.

Thats just me:)

Bud

Even the blue ribbon is not "ours". I was trying to find pins for an event, and discovered that unless it says "prostate", it gets sold for other cancers as well, and not all of those male.

Pink is burned in by all the publicity as breast cancer.

That is what makes the Prostate Cancer Canada group's blue "tie" pin more recognizeable.