Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Martin Memorial Throws Down the Gauntlet – and Pink Gloves – for Breast Cancer Awareness

Consider the “Pink Glove Challenge” as the health care version of “So You Think You Can Dance” mixed with “Bring It On.”

Martin Memorial Health Systems initiated the challenge after seeing the now famous “Pink Glove Dance” on YouTube that showcased more than 200 hospital workers from Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Ore.

Inspired by the video and its success at promoting breast cancer awareness, Martin Memorial decided to make a video of its own – South Florida style. The video took three days to shoot, with the crew visiting more than 40 departments throughout the health system. More than 500 Martin Memorial physicians, associates and volunteers participated in the filming.

(Click here to see the video: http://www.youtube.com/user/MartinMemorial)

And while making the video proved to be tremendous fun for everyone involved, more importantly it created a conversation about breast cancer not just in the local community but beyond. It also challenged other health care providers to do their part in raising awareness of a disease that saw an estimated 194,000 people diagnosed with new cases of breast cancer and approximately 40,700 dying from the disease.

“Our hope is this challenge will help continue to raise awareness about breast cancer in a way that is also entertaining,” said Mark E. Robitaille, president and chief executive officer of Martin Memorial. “We help women and men in their battle against this disease every day. And every day, their courage, determination and strength increases our resolve to continue providing the community with access to the best possible breast cancer resources.”

Martin Memorial, which is serving as host hospital for the 2010 Susan G. Komen South Florida Race for the Cure event in West Palm Beach on Jan. 30, sees hundreds of breast cancer patients every year at its Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center. In 2009, breast cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer at Martin Memorial with 22 percent of diagnoses.

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