New campaign brings men into breast cancer awareness
The local chapter of the American Cancer Society is kicking off a fundraising campaign with local men leading the charge.
During the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign, 26 select men from the Birmingham area have been nominated to serve as the “Pink Men” of Birmingham during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Each participant will promote breast cancer education and early detection with messaging provided by the American Cancer Society. There is also a fundraising component in which the men will compete against each other, raising as much funds as possible (a minimum of $2,500) for the American Cancer Society.
The participant who raises the most funds will be named the “Birmingham’s Pink Man of the Year.”
Several Mountain Brook men are getting involved in the campaign:
Wilmer Poynor, of Ray and Poynor Properties, decided to be a part of the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign because of the devastation and struggle this disease has caused his family and countless friends.
“Hopefully we can help raise the funds that will aid in finding a cure,” Poynor said. “The only way to is through research and finding a cure must be one of the most important endeavors of our time. Just as Dr. Jonas Salk found a cure for polio, I am hoping that we can fund a doctor or research team that can find a cure.”
Poynor will be raising funds by communicating with family, friends and contacts by phone and email.
Dr. Jack Schaeffer of Schaeffer Eye Center said he and his company have been deeply involved in the community since opening their first office more than 35 years ago. He did not hesitate to take part in the campaign.
Schaeffer said that in today’s world, everyone is affected by cancer.
“We all know someone fighting this battle or someone who has lost it, whether it’s a family member, a patient, a friend or a colleague. Until we find a cure, no one is immune to the devastation of this disease,” Schaeffer said.
For his fundraising efforts, Schaeffer will be reaching out to friends and colleagues to pledge their support for this effort.
Chef Chris Newsome of restaurant Ollie Irene chose to participate in Real Men Wear Pink because he knows several people whose lives, and the lives of their loved ones, have been affected by breast cancer.
“Any progress in beating this devastating disease is important – any bit of relief to mothers and daughters, husbands and fathers, and siblings, and parents and friends would be a good thing,” he said.
Newsome said he thought the Real Men Wear Pink concept was a different and interesting way to catch people’s attention and raise some funds for cancer research.
He will be wearing pink and asking the Ollie Irene guests and regulars to donate to the effort through their Facebook page and Instagram feed.
Other Mountain Brook participants include Chef Chris Hastings of Hot & Hot, UAB basketball coach Jerod Haase, Joey Pearson of Tacala, Matt Condra of First Commercial Bank, author Morgan Murphy, Richard Shea of Shea Brothers and Rob Conrad of Magic 96.5 FM.