"Pink Glove Wave" Raises Breast Cancer Awareness

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 28, 2010) − At yesterday's Lexington Legends game, fans did "the wave," as sports fans often do. But this time it was for a special cause.

The "Pink Glove Wave," conceived by Kentucky Pink Connection, is intended to raise awareness of breast cancer. At the beginning of the game, fans waved to the cameras while wearing pink gloves provided free of charge by the Medline Company. The first big wave at Applebee's Park kicks off a three-month-long social media campaign leading up to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

"We want to engage the community in a special way by delivering or sending pink gloves to community business, local celebrities and individuals," explained Vicki Blevins of Kentucky Pink Connection. "We encourage people to get creative and to post videos of themselves doing the Pink Glove Wave on Facebook or YouTube."

Blevins says the goal is to get as many videos uploaded as possible in the coming months, then compile them all into one presentation set to music.

The Lexington Legends has made breast cancer the focus of its philanthropic efforts, working in partnership with UK HealthCare and the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center.

"Breast Cancer Awareness is important to our organization and we are proud to originate the Pink Wave here at Applebee’s Park," said Ron Borkowski of the Lexington Legends. "Our players will be wearing pink jerseys Sunday which will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Markey Cancer Center and the Kentucky Pink Connection."

Markey Cancer Center Director Dr. Mark Evers says the cancer center is grateful for the Legends' support.

"This partnership has been beneficial to our patients," Evers said. "Last year, support from the Legends and other community partners enabled us to completely refurbish the gowned waiting areas in the Comprehensive Breast Care Center, providing our patients more comfort and more privacy."

The Kentucky Pink Connection program serves breast cancer patients on a personal basis by reducing or eliminating barriers to screening, diagnosis and treatment. The program provides personal navigators who can assist patients with concerns such as child care needs, transportation issues, lack of financial resources, insurance difficulties, wigs and mastectomy supplies.

More information is available at www.kypinkconnection.com, or by contacting the Kentucky Pink Connection by e-mail to kypinkconnection@insightbb.com or by phone at (859) 309-1700.