Men Rock Pink

Raising Awareness For Breast Cancer

(Memphis, TN) – Men don’t typically have a big voice in the fight against breast cancer, but the American Cancer Society is changing that by partnering with prominent local businessmen, health care professionals, and public servants.

The society’s Real Men Wear Pink fundraising campaign, now in its third year, raised $150,000 combined over its first two years in Memphis, and the goal this year is to top $100,000.

“We’ve got some guys on board who are doing really fantastic things with their campaign,” said Tracy Trotter, ACS senior community manager. “We feel like every year we get such an elite group of men who are willing to lend their name and their voices to the fight against breast cancer.”

PINK EVERY DAY

The 27 men wore pink every day during October, which is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

PINK IS A CONVERSATION STARTER

“Pink is a conversation starter, and then the men are able to talk about what they are doing this month,” Trotter said. “It also reminds the guys themselves to be talking about it in their social circles, at board meetings, and other places where they are interacting with people during the entire month.”

The men represent a wide variety of local government agencies and companies, including First Tennessee, Fred’s, Kroger, The Peabody and West Cancer Center.

The top fundraisers so far this year are Andrew Bettis, president of AB Jets; Freeman Peterman of Chuck Hutton Chevrolet; Tim Liebmann, executive VP and COO of Healthcare for Fred’s Pharmacy; and Josh Robinson, co-owner of PT Squared LLC.

“My mom had breast cancer,” said Robinson, who has raised more than $8,000 so far this month. “I don’t feel bad asking people to give money for a good cause like this. I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Robinson held a golf scramble on Oct. 12 at Wyndyke Country Club to raise money, and then on his birthday, he did 20 burpees (full-body push-up exercises) for anyone who donated $20 or $25.

“I did a lot of burpees that day and raised nearly $1,000,” he said. “I’m also thinking about doing one more push to get to $10,000. Just to get more notoriety for the organization, I might dye my hair pink if I raise $1,000 more or wear a pink dress if I get $2,000 more.”

The men are able to use the American Cancer Society’s mobile FUNdraising app and post about their campaign on social media.

“This is an easy charity for people to get behind,” said Bettis, the top fundraiser this year. “People have been gracious in giving their money.”

Bettis raised more than $11,000 with a pink party on Oct. 19 at Lafayette’s in Overton Square.

“Cancer in general is a horrible thing, and the American Cancer Society does many things to fund research and promote awareness for all cancers,” he said.

About 252,000 women and 2,470 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society, and 40,610 will die from the disease.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, and it is the most common cancer diagnosed in women other than skin cancer.

The American Cancer Society works to save lives in the Mid-South by providing education and resources to help women get screenings and treatment. Its Community Health Advisor program, which touts more than 100 volunteers, identifies at-risk neighborhoods, educates women, and provides much-needed resources.

“There are two risk factors for breast cancer: being a woman and getting older,” Trotter said. “So all women have those two major risk factors.”

The campaign contributes to the overall success of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk, which was held on Oct. 22 at the Liberty Bowl, marking its 17th season locally. The event drew 5,000 walkers despite the rainy weather and raised more than $600,000.

Since 1993, more than 13 million Making Strides supporters have raised more than $810 million nationwide. Donations can be made at MakingStridesWalk.org/RealMenMemphisTN.

Published in the Memphis Daily News on Friday, October 27, 2017