ANAMOSA, Iowa (KCRG) - Some people are accusing the town of Anamosa’s Pumpkinfest of ‘pinkwashing’ for using the pink breast cancer ribbon to raise money.
‘Pinkwashing’ is when companies or organizations say they’re supporting a cause, but the money isn’t going toward that cause.
Pumpkinfest has been celebrated in Anamosa for the last 30 years. Each year it chooses a new theme. This year’s slogan is ‘Save the Pumpkins’, a tongue-in-cheek reference to show they’re supporting people battling breast cancer, but all the money raised isn’t going towards the cause.
“It’s kind of a small-town party,” said Jennifer Jeffrey of Jones County.
Jeffrey and her family have enjoyed going to Pumpkinfest since moving to Jones County 10 years ago. She was especially excited when she learned this year’s theme was focused on breast cancer. She received a diagnosis of stage 2 breast cancer 14 months ago.
“Our youngest child was born and I was diagnosed a month later,” she said.
She said that excitement quickly faded when she said she started asking Anamosa Pumpkinfest organizers where the money was going.
“When I tried to get more information, they tried to shut me down,” she said.
Organizers gave us a statement: “We are looking forward to the 36th annual Pumpkinfest & Ryan Norlin GIANT Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Each year, the committee chooses a new theme. In 2019, our theme was “Save the Pumpkins.” It was chosen to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There was a lot of excitement and community support leading up to the 2019 event, especially the parade. Unfortunately, much of the event was rained out - the first time this had ever happened.
The committee decided to do a re-do of that same theme this year to again honor and support the breast cancer awareness effort and those in our community who are survivors, fighters, and their family members.
This year’s Grand Marshals will be Jones Regional Medical Center (JRMC) employees, who will be representing all staff who have battled breast cancer. Leading the Grand Marshals are volunteers of the Jones County Nurses Honor Guard.
The organizer’s mother provided this quote for the story: “A year ago I lost my sister to breast cancer. Five years ago, I had the very beginnings of breast cancer. I found it early thanks to the x-ray tech and excellent mammograms at Jones Regional. Not all support is monetary. This year’s theme is about public awareness and support.”
Jeffrey said the whole approach doesn’t seem right because the pink ribbon at this event does not mean funding research, diagnosis, or treatment.
“The reality with pinkwashing is that this type of event will pull funds away from other legitimate breast cancer charities,” she said.
Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.