Fighting against the cure (or what's the point?)

In the history of ribbon-wearing, awareness raising campaigns for diseases, how many have been cured? How many have even brought forth one or two new drugs (completely new drugs, not just another one of a similar chemical property to those already out on the market, and thus have a similar effectiveness and side-effect profile)? How many cases have been prevented? Even the most active cancer advocacy groups harp only on early detection. Early detection does ensure a better survival rate from certain diseases, but that doesn't change the fact that even in the earliest stages, someone has it.

What really gets to me is these groups that are sponsored by products that actually causes the disorder in the first place. I will not even get started on Susan G. Komen and their partnership with Planned Parenthood (the biggest abortion provider in the US, if not the world... abortion is one of the biggest risk factors of developing breast cancer). KFC selling pink buckets nearly made me laugh until I cried with hysteria. High fat diets cause their own problems, and fried chicken isn't fat free, is it?

Too much advocacy makes for a higher overhead. In advocacy groups, salaries, utilities, office supplies, and many other day to day operating costs must be paid. This is less money that is given to research groups, who can study disease processes, who can perhaps find a way to arrest a certain disease.

Ultimately, wearing a ribbon is like "clicking for a cure". Sure, it makes one feel good, perhaps others might be educated about debilitating and possibly life-threatening diseases, but in the long run, what is the result? Isn't it best served, in not just having a "special" time for advocacy, but in making one new person aware every day?

I suppose there is some use for them. Especially support groups for those who are affected by certain illnesses can prove invaluable. Who better to learn how to live with an illness than others who are affected, and have been so for some time? Who better to reach out for support in dealing with family members?