Is Susan G. Komen Confused?

I love nonprofit organizations. I believe in their existence and purpose within our greater capitalist society. I whole-heartedly support nonprofits because they are above the bottom line. They do not exist to make profit, at the expense of others. They are created and fueled by passion and compassion for other humans, living creatures and the environment. So when nonprofits choose to team up with the (evil) for-profit sector, even to promote and support their cause, I am always worried. I do believe that nonprofit/for-profit partnerships can be positive. Often times they raise much needed funds for the nonprofit organization and also give the heartless corporate sector a little taste of philanthropy and humanity, which is severely needed. BUT, sometimes it just does not make sense. Case in point, The Susan G. Komen for a Cure Foundation has recently teamed up with KFC in a new promotional campaign called "Buckets for the Cure". Is the absurdity of this partnership obvious to anyone else?! One would think that the intelligent folks over at Komen would understand the connections between healthy eating, obesity, and breast cancer. But, apparently not. Now Americans can completely ignore the toxic bucket of chicken they are feeding their families, because they are supporting the cure. It is like trading guilt for that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you donate to charities.
The Komen foundation is not new to partnerships with large corporations that do not exactly support healthy, cancer-preventing lifestyles (Campbell's Soups, Coca-Cola, etc.) but KFC has to be the worse yet. I am all for the support of cancer research but cannot support this campaign (and do not plan on ever eating at KFC). The "Buckets for the Cure" is a contradiction in itself and is embarrassing for the Susan G. Komen for a Cure Foundation.

Check out a recent Weighty Matters blog posting for a more in depth analysis of the campaign and it's irony.