KFC Breast Cancer Campaign Upsetting Advocacy Groups...

[Obama 2012 1,714]

(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - Many breast cancer advocacy groups have had their feathers ruffled by a new KFC pink bucket campaign.

KFC has launched " Buckets for the Cure ," a national program to raise money for breast cancer. They've partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure and will donate 50 cents from every pink bucket of chicken sold to the Komen organization. Their goal is $8.5 million by the end of May and they've already raised over $2 million.

Almost immediately, protests against the campaign appeared online about KFC's supposed hypocritical stance. The Washington Post's Checkup Blog pointed out the link between obesity and breast cancer risk, saying that each original-recipe fried chicken breast has 320 calories and 15 grams of total fat.

There's also the link between fried foods and cancer. The National Cancer Institute's website states: "Studies have shown that an increased risk of developing colorectal, pancreatic and breast cancer is associated with high intakes of well-done, fried, or barbecued meats."

Heather Moore, a senior writer for People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals , claims that KFC's Kentucky Grilled Chicken contains PHlP and other chemicals known as heterocyclic amines, which have been linked to several types of cancer, including breast cancer.

The Breast Cancer Action group has started a petition called "Think Before You Pink," calling the KFC campaign 'pinkwashing' and asking the Komen group to rethink the association.

This controversy occurs in the wake of the launch of KFC's Double Down sandwich made from two deep-fried chicken breasts, bacon and cheese – it's 540 calories, 32 grams of fat and almost 1,400 mg of sodium.

Additionally, the protesters are pointing out that it doesn't matter if you buy the pink buckets or not because the fine print reads that the company is paying the charity up-front for the buckets.

But Bruce Watson, writing for Daily Finance , says the critics have it wrong, alleging the pink bucket campaign is doing more good than evil. He singles out the fact that the $8.5 million donation would be the biggest single donation ever given to Komen.

Komen spokesperson Andrea Raider says that the program allows the charity to get its message to women in neighborhoods it normally doesn't reach. Nine hundred of KFC's fast-food restaurants, she says, are in cities or towns where the charity does not have an affiliate.

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpps/news/kfc-pink-bucket-campaign-dpgoha-20100427-fc_7267979

[chri'stina 190]

I saw a commercial for that and I found it odd because it's really unhealthy, fried food they want you to buy so they can donate .50. I'd rather donate the .50 myself and not eat the chicken.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

I saw a commercial for that and I found it odd because it's really unhealthy, fried food they want you to buy so they can donate .50. I'd rather donate the .50 myself and not eat the chicken.

I agree, but at least they are doing something...

They could just advertise as usual and sell the same amount of chicken. They're giving back here and to a good cause.

I'm sure the Susan G Komen foundation will gladly accept the donation.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I agree, but at least they are doing something...

They could just advertise as usual and sell the same amount of chicken. They're giving back here and to a good cause.

I'm sure the Susan G Komen foundation will gladly accept the donation.

You can't be that naive as to think that KFC is actually doing this to help anyone but themselves.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

You can't be that naive as to think that KFC is actually doing this to help anyone but themselves.

How dare they try to earn a profit and employ people..... and make the largest ever donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

How dare they try to earn a profit and employ people..... and make the largest ever donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

I'd have to agree. Most businesses that run campaigns of this nature do this with a good bit of self-promotion in mind. That doesn't invalidate the value of the contribution to the cause of their choice however but makes it a win-win, in my opinion.

[SuperDuper! 230]

I got a flyer coupon in the mail featuring the Pink Bucket Campaign and "Double Down" sandwich. Found it odd for KFC to be featuring a Breast Cancer Campaign on a Bucket O' Chicken.

More power to them, and let's fight cancer however we can.

I raise my drumstick in support of this cause.

[scandal 951]

[Obama 2012 1,714]

[justucia 0]

How dare they try to earn a profit and employ people..... and make the largest ever donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.