Local Leaders Wear Pink For Breast Cancer
In its inaugural year in DuPage County, fourteen prominent area men will take a stand against breast cancer by supporting the American Cancer Society through participation in the Real Men Wear Pink campaign. Throughout the month of October, Real Men Wear Pink candidates will encourage women in their lives and in the community to take action in the fight against breast cancer.
"In addition to wearing pink and raising awareness about breast cancer issues, these men will be raising funds to help the American Cancer Society save more lives from breast cancer," said John Miller, senior market manager of community engagement for the American Cancer Society. "Funds raised allow the Society to be there for those touched by breast cancer, from research to education, prevention to diagnosis, and treatment to recovery, the Society provides support to everyone impacted by the disease. Every action we take moves us one step closer to a world free from the pain and suffering caused by breast cancer."
Each Real Men Wear Pink candidate is charged with a fundraising challenge and will compete to be the top fundraiser among the other candidates by the end of the campaign.
"No one should have to face a breast cancer diagnosis alone," said Mayor Ruben Pineda of West Chicago. "That's why I joined the American Cancer Society in support of their lifesaving work by becoming a candidate in the Real Men Wear Pink campaign. "This is a cause I personally believe in, and as a candidate, I'm committed to raising awareness and funds for the Society's efforts."
The 2016 DuPage County Real Men Wear Pink candidates are: Mike Caliendo, Winfield, Caliendo's of Winfield; Matthew Cross, Downers Grove, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital; Roger Gold, Schaumburg, Medulla LLC; Dr. Sanjeeb Khatua, Plainfield, Edward Elmhurst Hospital; Stephen Lindsay, Wheaton, Lufthansa; Tim McEnery, Countryside, Cooper's Hawk, Vaughn Moore, Itasca, AIT; Steve Muehlfelt, Wheaton, Cooper's Corner; Mayor Ruben Pineda of West Chicago; Mike Shereck, Naperville, Executive Coach; Don Nottke, Wheaton, Kirkland and Ellis; Dr. Steven Sigalove, Northwestern; Scott McKay, Geneva, 95.9 The River; Steve Chirico, Naperville, City of Naperville.
The men were nominated by close friends and colleagues. Fundraising began in September and will conclude October 31. There is a friendly competition between these "Real Men." The first real man ambassador to reach $2,500 was Dr. Sanjeeb Khatua! He received a pink office chair.
According to the American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures 2016, an estimated 246,660 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and an estimated 40,450 will die from the disease this year. In Illinois, 10,160 women will be diagnosed this year and 1,660 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.
"Our community can make a huge impact in the fight against breast cancer," said Miller. "We are grateful to our Real Men Wear Pink participants for lending their voices to our cause and fighting for everyone touched by breast cancer."
For more information about breast cancer or the Real Men Wear Pink campaign in DuPage call 630-932-1151 or visit makingstrideswalk.org/realmendupagecoil.