Real Men Wear Pink (RMWP) is a national campaign through the American Cancer Society that brings together male business executives and community leaders. Created in 2013 in Jackson, Tennessee, RMWP campaigns are now featured in over 200 communities across the country. RMWP Ambassadors are asked individually to raise $2,500 for the American Cancer Society.
The campaign made its way to central PA in 2016, and through the years, local men have raised over $250,000 to help the American Cancer Society fund innovative breast cancer research; provide education and guidance to help people reduce their risk; and offer comprehensive patient support to those who need it most.
When the campaign began in central PA, it was named RMWP of Harrisburg, representing men in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York Counties. Today, the RMWP Harrisburg campaign recruits from just three counties: Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry, with the remaining counties having formed their own campaigns managed out of Lancaster County. In addition to professional men, college students are invited to join the campaign through Real Men on Campus of Harrisburg.
In 2019, seventeen men participated in the RMWP of Harrisburg campaign and raised over $90,000. The campaign’s top fundraiser was Aji Abraham, Senior Vice President of Strategy at Capital Blue Cross, who raised more than $46,200. Aji’s efforts landed him as one of the top 20 Real Men nationwide for this year’s campaign. Aji serves as the 2020 Honorary Chair for the RMWP Harrisburg campaign.
“I am continually humbled to work with individuals who are so dedicated and committed to ending breast cancer by becoming Real Men,” noted Yalonda Rice, American Cancer Society Senior Community Development Manager. “Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in American women, impacting nearly one in eight. Our Real Men Campaign seeks to raise awareness of and money to fight this terrible disease.”
Nominations for the 2020 Real Men Wear Pink Harrisburg campaign are still being accepted. The goal is for 20-25 men to join the campaign. The 2020 campaign will kick into gear in mid-August and last through the end of October. An ideal candidate is a business executive and/or community leader who wants to lead the fight against cancer and doesn’t mind wearing a little pink! The Harrisburg campaign includes men from Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry Counties. To nominate a candidate, contact Yalonda Rice at Yalonda.rice@cancer.org or 717-288-9707.
Please visit www.realmenwearpinkacs.org/harrisburgpa for more information and to support the 2020 RMWP Ambassadors.
Confirmed 2020 Real Men Wear Pink of Harrisburg Ambassadors:
Ben Allatt, Harrisburg City Council
David Blain, McKonly & Asbury
Rob Boesch, Penn State Health
J. Michael Curci, Fulton Bank
Darrien Davenport, Gettysburg College
Evan Dickinson, Mid Penn Bank
Rob Duffield, Baker Tilly
Bradley Gebhart, Hamilton Health Center
Courtney Jacobs, Courtnee Wellness Companion
Chris James, Cumulus Media
Ken Kehres, Ahold Delhaize USA
John Kulick, Orangetheory Fitness Harrisburg
Newman, iHeart Media
Chris Nolan, Enterprise
Parker Rose, Central Penn College (Real Men on Campus)
Barry Young, HR Resolutions
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle. For more information go to www.cancer.org.