Okay, that title probably sounds a little bit weird, right? If you don’t have a clue what I’m talking about, hear me out.
Firstly, I just want to quickly get out the other Facebook bugbear of mine. The statuses that say things like “Having Asperger’s/depression/heart disease/COPD is really hard, put this as your status for one hour to show your support if you or someone you know has suffered one of these things. I know which of my friends will do it” I find these statuses a bit twee, especially because of the “guilt trip” to make you copy and paste it as your own status 🤨🤨 That being said, I kind of get the point, they’re meant to show your friends/family/random strangers that you added after a drunk night out that you care about their illness or disease, even if it doesn’t really explain what any of them are!
The one I absolutely can’t abide though, is the random ♥ on women’s statuses with nothing else written, because 9 times out of 10, it’s not to show they’re in love or they’re remembering a loved one who’s no longer with them, it’s because they’ve received a mass sent message which went something like “I dare you to put a heart as your status for at least an hour, without saying anything else, to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention week/breast cancer awareness week. Don’t forget to forward this on to all your female contacts.” I’ve had a few this year already and it’s only bloody January!!
There are so many things wrong with these messages;
- You dare me to do it? We’re not 10 and it’s not exactly a naughty/fun/weird thing to do. Daring me to drink a raw egg, now that’s a proper dare. I’m still not doing that either, because I’m not an idiot.
- For at least an hour? So after the hour, I could just delete my status? What exactly is that going to achieve? Really?
- I’m not “allowed“, as the message says, to tell people why I’ve put a heart as my status, even if someone comments on it. So how the fuck exactly is that RAISING AWARENESS??
- It seems as though women only do it so that they’ll get loads of attention, comments and likes from people “Aww, why the heart? You okay hun??” or “Oooh, what’s happened? Is this about that guy you were seeing? PM me”.
- Why only my female contacts? You know that men can get breast cancer too, right?
I spoke to one of my friends about this who had breast cancer in her early 20s. Do you know how many hearts on people’s Facebook statuses saved her life? Precisely the amount of fuck all. The surgery and the chemotherapy helped save her life. The money that people donated into cancer research and support saved her life.
So I’m not at all sorry, if you put a heart on your status and don’t actually do anything to raise awareness for the charities doing great work or donate any money to them, even if it’s 50p or £1, I judge you. I judge you so hard. How exactly are you helping?
It’s World Cancer Day on 4th February, so instead of sharing a heart, why not share some of the charities that help people who have breast cancer? I’ve shared some of the charities doing great work below:
Do you think the FB hearts actually raise awareness or do you think they’re pretty pointless? Let me know in the comments below 🙂 x
P.S. I donated £5 to Breast Cancer Now and £5 to the Macmillan Cancer Support
19 Comments
Haha you’re bang on here ! I’ve never done any of those silly status challenges because I’ve never seen the point either. Spreading awareness by posting an emoji for an hour, really,!?
I know, it’s just so weird! How is anyone meant to know that’s what it’s for?
Bloody love this! I can see my sister doing this; luckily I have her muted on Facebook though, haha!!
Ahaha oh dear! I have a few friends who do it!
I agree with you holly
Ok I had no idea that was even a thing?! Leaving a heart?! But I totally agree – far more useful to share the work the charities do! Good rant 👌🏻
Yeah, you’ll be checking your friends statuses more carefully now lol x
Do you know how many hearts on people’s Facebook statuses saved her life? Precisely the amount of fuck all.
hahahahaha actually laughed out loud at this. i ALWAYS think this, surely it’s better to spend some time volunteering or donating money to a cause if you really care that much about it? that heart ain’t doing shit pal.
katie. xx lacoconoire.com
Thank you 😀 I agree, donate, raise awareness, do something that actually helps!! x
You got this spot on, I completely agree. It’s not about raising awareness at all, especially if like you said you’re not “allowed” to tell people what’s with the heart. Loved this post xxx
http://izzyk1998.blogspot.co.uk
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Thanks Izzy 😊😊 xx
I completely agree. I just don’t see how it helps promote awareness of any illness or condition.
Talking about it, raising money yes, I’m all for it! But the facebook status thing is so pointless to me!
I know, it doesn’t promote awareness at all and just seems to be for attention seekers!!
I’ve always thought this thing was completely pointless, but never written about it. I’ve just shared your post and hopefully it will get other people thinking too.
Thanks Kirsty 🙂
I totally agree with you Holly, its pointless and to be honest all you do is wonder what its about so whats the point! Your not actually making anything clear about why there is suddenly a heart on your status for 1 hour! Im like you and raise awareness, so far ive completed seven Cancer Research 5ks, one 10k and there first ever half marathon! Last year i also did a skydive for Cancer Research! Now thats making a point lol!
Kylie xx
http://www.firstforeverything.co.uk
Wow Kylie, that’s amazing, that’s definitely making a fantastic point and an incredible contribution!! Well done you xx
I love this so much, you’ve got it spot on. I understand that people feel like they are raising awareness, but as you say, if there is no explanation or donation behind the emoji, then it isn’t doing anything!
Hels xx
http://www.thehelsproject.com
Thanks Hels, you never know how people will take it as I know a few people who do this 😐 xx