Event Name Change - The Toronto Weekend to End Women's Cancers

David Irvine · Member

Event Name Change

Walker1 · Veteran Member

I have to agree with you on the name change. I noticed the commentator at the closing ceremony also referred to the survivors as 'women', despite the fact that there were several survivors of the male gender walking in.

We have worked hard to be inclusive and have seen the numbers of male walkers and supporters increase significantly over the past seven years. Lets not reverse that progress.

Donna

Ashley Costa · Senior Member

Well put Donna.
I agree - changing the name to associate this charity/event to women only really puts a damper on the men that 'were' involved in this event.

I don't know.

I keep telling myself that one discovery will obviously be helpful in other cancer research - but still (we can't do the research without the money - the money that both men and women raise).

-- Edited by Ashley Costa on Wednesday 16th of September 2009 07:48:00 AM

kady1999 · Veteran Member

Being a nurse a totally agree with you...the name should include men as well and not be so gender specific. I know my husband was very surprised that there were men walking in the event. He assumed it was in support of a loved one...which is what alot of people will automatically surmise and this is unfortunate.

Denise · Veteran Member

I agree. Why not just 'The Weekend to End Cancer' -- plain & simple.

caringspirit · Member

I agree that the name change is too gender specific. Cancer does not only affect women but men also. Why not "The Weekend to End ALL Cancer". That way one gender is not segregated from the other.

HealingSoul · Newbie

I totally agree that the new name is too gender specific, not all inclusive. Cancer is not gender specific. Cancer does not just attack woman. Even though breast cancer is a very serious. Even though the name change will not deter me from participating. Still my loved ones have had it. Cancer runs very high within my family. The name should be all inclusive.

Doreen H · Veteran Member

I understand why they went for the name change, but I also feel it is too gender specific. Cancer affects all of us, male and female. It has been great having more males participate, I hope we don't lose that.

kazalicoley · Member

A couple of things about the name change... I just had 500 business cards printed a month or so ago with the old logo on! Luckily they weren't too expensive which is why I got them... but still! Do I throw them away and get new ones... or just continue using them?

I also have loads of key tags left with TW2EBC on them... as I had to buy so many to get a good deal... I guess they will have to be binned, unless previous walkers would like them as souvenirs.

It's good that they want to tackle all women's cancers, but like a few others say, it does seem a bit gender specific... perhaps they should have called it...

The Weekend to End ALL Cancers or The Weekend to End EVERY Cancer

or better yet... The Weekend to End BEEP Cancer... then I wouldn't have to get rid of my key tags lol

It's certainly going to keep Randy busy for awhile!

nbolyea · Veteran Member

I'm guessing the rationale for the name change is that they are focusing on the links between breast cancer and gynelogical cancers--are gyne cancers are gender specific.

I'm planning to refer to the old name as well as the new when fundraising. I am a cancer survivor (melanoma) and that's the biggest reason I do the walk, even though it wasn't breast cancer. I have had lots of donors tell me about their other types of cancer and then give a big donation. So hopefully the name change won't negatively impact fundraising or awareness.

Just my lengthy 2 cents :)

Walker1 · Veteran Member

Kazalicoley - I wouldn't scrap the key tags with the former name on them....we are still walking to end breast cancer as well as other cancers and I don't think our donors will mind receiving 'gifts' with the former name on them. Still a nice token item to hand out at tag days, etc.

I, too, understand the rationale behind the name change.....but there are great alternatives, as you suggest, to avoid specifically referencing gender. We have the Ride to Conquer Cancer.....why not the Walk to Conquer Cancer.....especially since they have opened the Walk up to one day walkers who will not be making a Weekend of it.

Donna

Ashley Costa · Senior Member

I like the way you think Donna!! :)
Excellent post !

canderson · Member

Hi everyone, I work at PMHF and your feedback is really important to us. Please go to the main forum page and see a posting from me that pertains to your comments about the name change. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

krisndee · Member

I'm in agreement with you guys. I think "the Weekend to End Cancer" would have been much better.

JulieK · Senior Member

that's how I'll refer to it in my fundraising - Weekend to end Cancer - exnay on the woman's cancers

Ashley Costa · Senior Member

"exnay"
haha
I like it!

Jo · Veteran Member

Just wondering how you vote?

David Irvine · Member

Hello Jo.... the poll feature is at the top...you should be able to click on the button of your selection.
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Some great responses and thoughts posted!

I found when my wife Noreen and I did fundraising that on the whole the general public really don't pay attention to the details or specifics of the name.

Meaning that they see the pink ribbon and think breast cancer.

Usually they're not interested in which hospital is benefitted or what other cancers that are being researched....its a very quick moment of recognizing the pink ribbon logo and deciding whether or not to donate or buy a pink ribbon item.

There's the odd person now and then that asks questions or knows about the event or is familiar with PMH.

I still am not 100% supportive about the name change, despite the explanations--but I think from the general publics perspective its a moot point , since the pink ribbon is such a strong and easily recognizable symbol of what this whole process is about-fighting cancer.