There will be a new team at this year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk to benefit the American Cancer Society, which is scheduled to take place Oct. 15 at Riverside Park. Sixteen “Pink Men” officially began their Real Men Wear Pink initiative last Wednesday at the MSABC Kick-off Party at the Heritage Center. This year’s walk is chaired by Dr. Daniel Glotzer and is presented by the Scully-Welsh Cancer Center at Indian River Medical Center.
The Pink Men – Andrew Barton, Travis Beckett, Dr. Will Crook, Wesley Davis, Dr. Charles Eberhart, Michael Kissner Jr., Larry Macke, Michael Natale, Dr. Patrick Ottuso, Bill Penney, Edwin Perkins, Nic Peterson, Chris Pinson, Adam Preuss, Karl Steene and Tim Zorc – had also displayed their team spirit the weekend before, when they were introduced at the Oceanside Business Association Sunset Saturday Concert.
They join thousands of others around the county and the country raising money to support the 2,600 men and 240,000 women who are diagnosed annually in the United States.
“Every year I have attended the walk, since even when I was in chemo and only could do a little of the way,” said breast cancer survivor Jeanne Bresett, who spoke from the heart before the crowd of approximately 125 people. “The American Cancer Society was such a resource of information and programs, which helped me immensely. To have this kind of support and compassion from people on the walk and at ACS kept inspiring me to never give up, to keep going.”
Kick-off attendees included a number of established teams along with others looking to start new ones. To encourage fundraising efforts there is always some friendly competition between teams, so in true pep rally style, pointers were given on ways to raise top dollars.
“After I was diagnosed I formed a team and went on Facebook and mostly hounded my friends until they joined and contributed,” joked Linda George, on how to best get others to contribute.
Despite the cause being a serious one, humorous themes are encouraged, which is why ACSIRC calls it a FUNdraiser. Introduced to cheers and a few good-natured jeers, Pink Men team members showed off their rosy side by dressing in pink from head to toe, including hot pink flip-flops.
“I didn’t actually have to go out and buy the pink clothes because I already owned them,” said Wesley Davis with a laugh, saying he joined the team to honor his grandmother, Rosemary Hinkle, who he lost to breast cancer. “I did have to buy those flip-flops for 99 cents at Walmart, though. I am betting they are sold out after everyone saw us looking so good wearing them at the concert!”