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Real men wear pink, help raise awareness, funds in fight against breast cancer

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By Compiled by Sunny Montgomery | Photography by Steven Ratajczyk September 1, 2016 1 min read

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Real Men Wear Pink

Dennis Culver, Vice President and Chief Audit Executive, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee:

Dr. Chris LeSar

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Arnold Ruelas

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Brody Grant

Derrick DePriest, Senior Vice President and Head of Retail Delivery, FSG Bank:

Dr. Woody Kennedy

James Howard

Robert C. Fore, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga:

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Cody Harvey

Greg Funderburg, Co-anchor of Good Morning Chattanooga; Reporter at WTVC News Channel 9:

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / David Everett

Rick Cadena is one of several Real Men that Wear Pink.

Gregg Gentry, Chief of Staff to the President and CEO, Erlanger Health Systems: "One very dear friend of mine, both professionally and personally, started fighting cancer at age 32, then again at age 38, then again in her 50s. She stood tall against her disease and won the battle for the past 30 years. Through her illness she has taught me much. … I am a better person because she has been part of my life. Just yesterday … my wife became aware that her sister has breast cancer, fortunately early stage and very curable. I had already agreed to participate in Real Men Wear Pink when this news reached my family, but it too will impact how I appreciate those that I love and deeply care about. Good living is taken for granted and we do not recognize how fragile life is." (Photo by Steven Ratajczyk)

Alex Burd

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Rig Burger

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Dr. John Huggins

Derek Holland, Doctor, Tennessee Oncology:

Alfred Odister

One of the biggest things I have realized is how much [cancer] affects the entire family, from her two girls, to her mother, to my girls and son, to her friends, to me. I now understand as I didn't before how this disease affects everyone and every piece of life. These woman are amazing warriors and I gain strength from theirs.(Photo by Steven Ratajczyk)

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Jon Chadwick

Dr. Cy Huffman

Jeff Jackson, Market President, First Tennessee Bank:

Dr. Jeffrey W. Gefter

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Kevin Beavers

Hiren Desai

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Kevin Flavin

Jay Kennamer, Co-owner and President, McMahan Law Firm P.C.:

Jay Raynor

Jeff Mochel, Regional Vice President of Operations, Vision Hospitality Group: "I consider myself extremely blessed to say that my family has not been affected by this terrible disease. Since one in eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer in [her] lifetime I know there is an ongoing threat that my mother, wife, sisters or nieces may receive a devastating diagnosis. A few of our friends have had to battle breast cancer, and there is no denying the toll it takes on the entire family. I would rather take a proactive approach and do something now to help find a cure than wait until it is too late." (Photo by Steven Ratajczyk)

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Dr. Matt Graham

John Post, Special Events Manager, Hunter Museum of American Art:

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Michael Kelly

John Sorrow

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Michael Sutton

Jon Lawrence

Maurice Rawlings, Director, MaryEllen Locher Breast Center: "I am a personal survivor of node-positive melanoma. The overall support of cancer services in the community has always been a major facet of the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center. While we benefit greatly from the American Cancer Society services, we like to help facilitate care through the ACS for what we offer in the comprehensive care of the breast patient. The ACS has well-developed literature for cancer patients and families, also with excellent lecture material for physicians." (Photo by Steven Ratajczyk)

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Dr. Todd Levin

Tanner Goodrich

Garry Thurman, President, Guardian Asset Protectors: "Although I have had no one in my immediate family to be diagnosed with cancer, I have had countless extended family members, clients and friends who have suffered from this disease. Two of my friends, one a young man I coached in baseball, lost their lives to cancer, and I hope to help raise money to prevent another mother from burying her child. … Having grown up in a home with my mother and two older sisters, I want them — and all women — to be aware of the benefits of early detection and treatment, and feel that wearing pink daily helps me start this conversation with others." (Photo by Steven Ratajczyk)

Taylor Whaley

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / T.W. Francescon, Jr.

Wayne Tipps, Surgeon, Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery:

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Hovig Yacoubian, Manager, Yacoubian Tailors Inc.: "My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. She is currently cancer-free after treatment. My mother-in-law unfortunately succumbed to breast cancer approximately 24 years ago after valiantly fighting for many years. [I am most excited about being involved in Real Men Wear Pink] to be able to provide resources for those on the front lines of the cancer fight, as well as those in the immediate fight." (Photo by Steven Ratajczyk)

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / Chairs Kelly Harvey and Mitch McGrath

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John Sorrow

Real men wear pink. They also give back to their community.

This September kicks off the American Cancer Society’s second annual Real Men Wear Pink fundraising campaign, which distinguishes 15 Chattanooga men who will help raise awareness and funds for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer by, you guessed it, proudly wearing pink.

Throughout October, each man will don pink daily and fundraise through personal contributions, sponsorships or by hosting events. Whichever candidate raises the most money by the end of the month will be crowned 2016’s “Real Man” during this year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5k on Nov. 6.

Here is what this year’s “real men” have to say about their cause.