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Last Sunday the New York Times ran an article in its business section entitled, “Welcome, Folks, to the Pinking of America.”  The article — half in praise and half tongue-in-cheek — lauded Nancy Brinker for the outstanding effort she has made as founder and C.E.O of the Susan G. Koman foundation.  Thanks to Brinker and the Koman community, EVERYONE is aware that pink = breast cancer awareness, and breast cancer awareness = saving lives.

But, how many lives are we really talking about?  According to the article, approximately 40,000 women (along with a few hundred men) die each year from breast cancer.  A big number, for sure, though far less than the number who die from heart disease and lung cancer.  The difference?  Marketing and the media-darling status of the ‘Get Pink’ crowd.  I do not mean in any way to disparage the Koman effort, but simply to point out how perceptions can be deceiving.

Take Medical Malpractice Victims, for instance.  According to a 2009 report by the Hearst Corporation, approximately 200,000 people die each year due to medical negligence.  200,000!!!  That is over four times the number of breast cancer deaths, yet pink is probably the last color most people associate with advocates — such as plaintiff’s malpractice lawyers — who fight on behalf of those who have died.

It’s time to change the perceptions.  Medical negligence is much, much more preventable than breast cancer.  It is everyone’s duty to help make sure you or your loved one are not the next ones to fall victim to something that should never, ever happen.

Thanks for reading!
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Christina Bruner Sonsire, Esq.
NY & PA Injury & Malpractice Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, New York 14902-1338
csonsire@zifflaw.com
Office: 607.733.8866
Toll-Free: 800.ZIFFLAW (943.3529)
Web:zifflaw.com
Blog: NYInjuryLawBlog.com