Does anyone else dislike the Macmillan Brave the Shave campaign?

Hi  

I have been reading all these but not commenting as I felt it wasn't my place - I wasn't the patient, my wife was.

I don't like the brave wording connection either I asked J for her views and she wouldn't want anyone to shave their heads as a fundraiser for the same reasons most have given here.

She did make one valid comment though, it is easy to open your purse or wallet to hand over some cash (takes all of a few seconds) but if they shave their heads it is something that reminds them for a good couple of months they made a sort of sacrifice for a worthy charity.

We as a few others have suggested donate in other ways like the many hours we spend volunteering or donating at Macmillan Coffee Mornings, bake sales, chucking wet sponges  - Oh! and the fella a few years ago that pushed a sprout up to the top of Snowdon with his nose...

Yes, you read that right :) You can read about that here.

Farmer near us last year baled all their hay in pink plastic and got people to adopt and write messages on them and donated the money to Cancer Research UK

Now if we could come up with something original that Macmillan could 'own' like that Ice Bucket Challenge to replace it - that would be brill.... Assuming this thread is being watched by the black suits (or would they be green) ? how about suggesting a nationwide alternative :)

Hugs, G n' J

If you want to go through a more appropriate channel, I’d encourage you to fill in our complaints form to make your complaints official. This will make sure that the correct procedure is followed and that all complaints to Macmillan are logged.

Thank you Michael- this sounds like a sensible way forward so thank you for your help and comments.

Might I suggest that everyone sends in individual complaints - and encourages anyone they know who feels the same to do so too.

I feel that a flood of complaints might be taken more notice of than us putter no in one joint complaint.

Maybe also say on this thread if you have put one in.

How does the sound?

I never realised when I started this thread about 18 months ago or more that it would generate so much - including the media interest.

I'm not sure I agree to criticise the Community Champions as that isn't their role - and they do such a wonderful job.

Check out Michaels link to a complaints form - and my post suggesting we flood them with complaints and see what result we get first.

I thought that Macmillan nurses were a great charity until i needed one and found they don't cover the whole of the UK. Its a money making business, thats why they don't care how people feel about ad campaigns it brings in the cash. I have never met another cancer sufferer who wanted their friend to shave their heads.

My official complaint is submitted, Lucy x

Tried to submit a complaint, but got a '404' error message ...

Please don't let this turn into the demonisation of Macmillan. Many, many people will be forever grateful to them.

This particular campaign is one of  many which have raised funds to help us all. Sure, I hate the use of the word "brave" and I am disappointed they used it in two campaigns but we mustn't let it overshadow the good they do.

I have not seen this campaign, so please explain, what is wrong with the word Brave?

Hi Susanmel, if you read the long thread it will give you a good sense of what is so upsetting so many.

Rebecca T...I agree in many ways, but for me my feelings for Macmillan have genuinely been changed by their lack of concern for the sincere distress and offense they are causing to so many of the very people they're supposed to be supporting. I don't want to villify them, but I m seriously disappointed and hurt by this persistent campaign.

Hi Carolyn

I so agree with you, the fear of cancer is awful worse than having it,  I to be honest and this might sound daft am glad Ive had it because its taken the fear of getting it away, If we constantly go on about battles, etc, people continue to see Cancer in such a fearful way worse than any other illness, And it isn't its an illness like heart disease, diabetes etc. My mum suffered with osteoporosis, she had it so badly though she was 4 inches taller than me, I towered over her when she died, the drugs she took were useless and she became so deformed it was pitiful to see her,  I took HRT for years as also had early menopause like her, which my oncologist said caused my breast cancer, But do you know ive no regrets as my cancer was found early, 1 suspicious node, clear margains, no chemo, and rads now on tamoxifen. Im feeling fine at the age my mum was starting to feel the effects of osteoporosis, id rather have had cancer than what she had.  Until we start dealing with cancer like any other illness, peoples fear of it it will never change and Macmillans campaigns don't help this.

Before I knew I didn't need chemo the fear of losing my hair was worse to me than having the cancer,. im a tough old bird, I knew id get over it, but losing my hair filled me with horror, I was set to refuse chemo,as initially I was borderline, in spite of my friends entreating me to have it. Ive always had short hair but starting growing it at 60 it took me two years, I always hated the "older women shouldn't have long hair", im dammed if I wanted to lose it.  I look a lot like my dad, and he was bald, he nearly drowned when young and it caused him to lose his hair, shock they said,  I adored my dad, but I didn't want to look that much like him.lol.

Junex