Breast cancer doesn't need donations?

I have to admit I am often drawn to off the beat causes.
I prefer to give my time or money to social causes that are run by volunteers as opposed to people earning 6 figure salaries. I have just been given a new reason for this.
I hear about the 'cancer industry' and all the negative things about it, now I have seen it with my own eyes.
My mom has 3 sisters who have had breast cancer, her youngest sister passed away about 15 years ago, she was only 33. The oldest sister was diagnosed almost one year ago, she is doing well, better then I think I would be.
The statistics say that 1 in 9 women in Canada will get breast cancer in their lifetimes, that's a lot, there were 4 sisters and 3 got it, that's a lot more.
So I have a friend, she used to be an exotic dancer, now she's an advocate, she works with the homeless, the drug addicted, basically anyone who is marginilized. She runs a drop in center, she is all around amazing, she had a friend who inspired her, Jocelyne. Jocelyne was diagnosed with breast cancer so my friend organized a fundraiser, they raised $4000. In November 2004, a few months before the second annual, Jocelyne passed away, we are now organizing the fourth annual, last year we raised over $6000 so obviously the momentum is growing.
We have been awaiting confirmation from the Breast Cancer Society of Canada to say they will accept our donation, the letter came back, with regrets.
There are some 'major donors' who don't want to be associated with strippers, never mind that 1 in 9 women will be affected, never mind that there are women dying every single day because of this.
I just had to share, I'm not even mad so much as just sad.
If these major donors were really worried about breast cancer as opposed to a tax receipt would they really care who else donates? Strippers can get cancer too, we all can........

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Strippers Looking for a Charity
VANCOUVER, BC.
Former exotic dancer, Annie Temple, is asking the media for help to find a cancer charity willing to accept donations from the upcoming Fourth Annual Exotic Dancers for Cancer event on March 4, 2007 at the Drake Showlounge. Last year’s triumph when the Breast Cancer Society of Canada (BCSC) willingly agreed to be the chosen charity turned into this year’s disappointment when Temple received a rejection letter from the national society. “Unfortunately we will have to decline your kind offer as we have certain major donors that are not in favour of this connection,” wrote Rany Xanthopoulo, Executive Director of the BCSC. “This decision came as a result of donor disgruntlement and together with the Board of Directors we have decided not to accept any donations from what donors consider controversial sources.” Now, a month before the event, the exotic dance community is anxious to find a new charity willing to publicly accept their donation. “We realize that our donation is a drop in the bucket for many of these large cancer organizations,” says Temple. “But we feel that our contribution should be valued the same as any other – cancer does not discriminate, after all.” Exotic Dancers for Cancer is an annual event coordinated collectively among members of the exotic dance community and allies, in memory of Jocelyne Sioui, a former dancer who died in November 2004. Proceeds of the event will be split between another former dancer who has been fighting cancer, Lady Sable, and a chosen charity. “We wanted to make a difference in one person’s life while contributing as a community to the cause, as well,” explains Temple. Cancer charities willing to accept the donation should contact Annie Temple at annie@nakedtruth.ca. The first cancer organization to respond will be the chosen charity this year with the others being kept on a list for future events. “We are confident that there are organizations out there that would value and appreciate our contribution, as well as give us the respect we deserve,” says Temple.