BreakTheChain.org

Stick 'Em Up

Date Added: Oct. 24, 2004
Last Updated: Oct. 24, 2004

Each year, October is designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In recognition of this observance, more and more companies are employing symbolic charitable campaigns through which they make valuable donations to cancer research and help educate people about the disease and the strides being made toward a cure. E-mail chain letters are popular methods for sharing information about these campaign, but are flawed and may not tell the whole story.

In 2004, 3M Corporation follows in the footsteps of M&M's chocolate candies (HMMM, I wonder if this is an "M" thing) in offering a charitable contribution for breast cancer research and tying that benevolence to a high-profile public awareness campaign. First, they are donating $75,000 dollars to the City of Hope Cancer Center near Los Angeles, California. To build awareness through word-of-mouth, they are applying more than pink Post-it Super Sticky Notes to a 70-foot billboard in New York's Times Square. The post-its will bear the names of the first 75,000 people to register on their special web site or by calling 1-866-5-POST-IT. The billboard will be unveiled during the first week of October, 2004.

To get a pink Post-It in your name, you need only provide your full name, city and state of residence (and there's no requirement that it be your name and city). The site has a standard privacy statement and ensures participants that they will only use your information as a basis for the donation.

But, while the chain letter ends there, 3M's campaign does not. The company has introduced a "special edition" pink ribbon Super Sticky Post-It Note and will donate 50¢ for every three-pack and 20¢ for each single pack sold to City of Hope. The special Post-It pads are available in most retail outlets.

References: 3M Cancer Awareness Site