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 Vestavia men are getting involved in the campaign:

Gene Hallman knows numerous women who have had battled breast cancer and all successfully fought the good fight, most of which were incredibly difficult.

“I think virtually everyone knows someone who has had to endure the fight against breast cancer,” Hallman said.

Hallman, who is the Bruno Event Team president and CEO, decided to participate in the Real Men Wear Pink campaign because he thought the novelty of it was a unique way to draw attention to the cause.

“The thing that is important is, great strides have been made, but this disease is a long way from being defeated,” he said. “Part of the mission of the American Cancer Society is to make sure people that people understand that while great strides been made, it’s not yet conquered.”

Breast cancer is all too familiar to Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington. His wife, Sonia, is a breast cancer survivor, as well as many of their friends.

“Participating in the Real Men Wear Pink campaign is a constant, visual statement that I support finding a cure for breast cancer, a disease that touches all socioeconomic segments of our community,” Carrington said.

Carrington will be wearing something pink every day in October to serve as a constant reminder of breast cancer. He will also ask for donations from friends and acquaintances.

As a radiation oncologist at Princeton Hospital, Dr. Clint Holladay has been treating breast cancer patients for 22 years.

“I treat cancer patients every day and see the struggles of the cancer journey up close,” he said.

Dr. Holladay is involved in the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign because awareness of early cancer detection can be crucial in saving a life.

“The more dollars raised for cancer research, means the more lives saved,” he said.

He is excited about wearing his pink tie during October to show his support for breast cancer.