Amy's America

I was always taught if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all. I also really hate to bad mouth a company, especially one that has a strong charitable giving arm. But this has been bothering me for weeks and I’m sick of it. And I think you need to speak out when you truly believe something is wrong.

Nearly every day while driving my very short route to work I hear the same commercial: Avon’s Walk for Breast Cancer. And it makes me want to scream. In fact, when I hear the ending, I sometimes do scream back at the radio. (Yup, people probably think I’m crazy – or that I’m on blue tooth.) I’m sure you’ve heard it. Because it’s on so often, it’s possible you just tune it out and haven’t really listened to what they’re saying. Well, let me share: the last line is “Will you walk, or will you walk away?”

That’s when my blood boils. How DARE Avon accuse people of turning their head from breast cancer just because they don’t sign up for their walk??? I think their walk is great, I am glad they do it, I simply choose not to participate because I only want to do one major thing per year where I beg people for financial support – I don’t think it’s fair to solicit your friends year-round. And I choose to do the Jimmy Fund Boston Marathon Walk for a million reasons including the fact that Dana-Farber provide me and my friends such fabulous care and that the money supports multiple types of cancer research and treatment. And especially because it was one of my dear friend’s ideas to have a team.

So I think it’s great that Avon has their walk and does so much for breast cancer. But don’t use guilt advertising! I don’t go for guilt in religion, in life or in advertising. In fact, it makes me want to do the opposite; it completely turns me off. So do as you do in the TV version, Avon. Leave that line off your radio commercials. It’s not helping your cause, which happens to be one of mine, even if I don’t do your walk.