I have received no less than 43 Facebook messages, telling me to play along in the “newest game to raise breast cancer awareness on Facebook.” If I post the month that I was born (which equals weeks of gestation) and a food for the date of my birth (what I’m craving), that is somehow going to raise awareness for cancer.

Does anyone else see the faulty logic there?

Do you really think that raises any sort of awareness? Are you doing anything productive for the cancer community?

If you are sincere about raising awareness:

1. Susan G. Komen Foundation would love to have you!

2. The American Cancer Society can hook you up as a volunteer in your community, or you can make a donation to the cause!

3. The Rock n’ Roll Marathon donates to several charities and seems like (if you like to run) a lot of fun!

Yet…the really, really sad part of all of this is that you’re alienating a portion of the population who is already thoroughly vulnerable. There are millions of women who would adore and love to post how many weeks pregnant they are and what they are craving—but they can’t. They’re infertile and struggling. They have spent thousands and thousands of dollars visiting doctors, trying to get pregnant, and wishing they were “normal.”

So, when you receive these little “fun ways to raise awareness” messages, maybe you could think about the message they are really sending…

…and maybe about how many of your “friends” you’ve managed to crush.