Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Everywhere you go you see the pink ribbon - they're all over my office. I just want to put something out there:

People don't realize that when they donate to health-related charities they are probably supporting animal-based research. The problem with animal-based research is that the results aren't usually applicable to human health. Dr. Richard Klausner, formerly the director for the National Cancer Institute, said that all we've done with this type of research is cure cancer in the mouse! Research to cure cancer in humans must be based upon the makeup and nature of the human body. Imagine such a radical idea.

So, the next time you want to respond to that envelope that comes in your mail requesting a donation to the American Cancer Society, the National Foundation for Cancer Research, or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, don't do it. Instead, contribute to Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, or the American Breast Cancer Foundation, or The Cancer Project, or The Breast Cancer Fund. These groups do not use wasteful animal-based research that drains funds away from the relevent and effective human research that actually helps the people they're trying to help. Don't let your hard earned money go towards inhumane, irrelevant animal experiments.

If you're like me you then say to yourself, but how the heck do I know which charities don't test on animals? EASY! Go to the Humane Charity Seal website that allows you to access all needed information about who does (and doesn't) hurt animals in order to not help humans.