In 2007 my older sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went through hell fighting against the malignant neoplasm — radiation, chemotherapy, a mastectomy, follow-up surgeries and reconstruction. She won her battle eventually, but the process was painful for the entire family. It's safe to say I hate breast cancer.
I am, however, a big fan of the color pink. Being able to show my support for my sister and the countless women going through the same struggle every day by purchasing special-edition colored video game peripherals like SteelSeries' new Siberia v2 headset is an incredibly selfish act of altruism on my part.
My Macbook Air has a pink plastic cover. My Kindle Fire is wrapped in light red faux leather. My Second Life character, inactive for more than a year, sits in a darkened corner of a Linden Labs server, hair and cat ears the color of cotton candy.
It's a pleasing color. Soft and soothing, while playful at the same time. The pink ribbon associated with breast cancer support is a symbol of generosity, faith in science, and a positive attitude. It's a symbol of hope. The color fits the message.
And it also gives video game hardware manufacturers an attractive option to help raise awareness of breast cancer, raising money for the cause at the same time.
We've seen everything from special edition portable video game systems from Nintendo...
...to a little something for the PC gaming crowd, courtesy of NZXT, who donated $2,500 of the proceeds from this sexy beast to the Breast Cancer Foundation earlier this year.
And of course we've got the SteelSeries Siberia v2, a lovely headset in an even lovelier color. SteelSeries is donating 10 percent of the proceeds from sales of the pink headset will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, with a goal of $10,000.
I don't know if my love of the color pink predated my sister's struggle with Breast Cancer, or if this love affair stemmed from that fight and subsequent victory. Perhaps it's a subconscious way of showing gratitude that she survived her ordeal and came out stronger on the other end.
What I do know is that that thanks to video game hardware and peripheral manufacturers showing their support, everybody's world gets a little brighter every day.
Especially the world around my computer desk.