New campaign brings men into breast cancer awareness

The local chapter of the American Cancer Society is kicking off a fundraising campaign with local men leading the charge.

During the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign, 26 select men from the Birmingham area have been nominated to serve as the “Pink Men” of Birmingham during breast cancer awareness month. 

Each participant will promote breast cancer education and early detection with messaging provided by the American Cancer Society. There is also a fundraising component in which the men will compete against each other, raising as much funds as possible (a minimum of $2,500) for the American Cancer Society.

The participant who raises the most funds will be named the “Birmingham’s Pink Man of the Year.

Hoover resident Hernan Prado is participating in the campaign because he believes that cancer prevention and research awareness is vital to having healthy communities.

“It directly affects humans’ behavior, wellbeing, happiness and therefore influences economic and community development. With my volunteer collaboration, I want for other Hispanic/Latino business people to feel identified with this noble cause and to foster activities supporting cancer awareness efforts,” he said.

Cancer hit close to home for Prado last year, who is president of HOLA Latino Marketing Company in Hoover. His mother, who lives in Ecuador, was diagnosed with cancer, and that made his distance from her deeply noticeable.

“It is a struggle for me to be incapable of being close to her in these hard times, because I can’t just fly to see her often. I wish Ecuador could have organizations like the American Cancer Society,” Prado said. “Cancer research in the United States should be supported so findings can be shared with affected people around the world.”

For his fundraising, Prado is planning to develop two fundraising activities that will include good food, music and dancing, and he will reach out to his family, friends and companies he does business with.