By Samantha SLAYBACK

In its ongoing efforts to raise cancer awareness, the Glendale Adventist Medical Center is once again holding its Army of Pink campaign. Teaming up to help GAMC, six prominent male figures in the community have offered to wear pink to show their support for the campaign and to remind the community to get checked regularly for breast cancer. The community is invited to vote for their favorite “pink soldier.”

This year, the candidates include Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of the Western Diocese Armenian Church, Lt. Tim Feely of the Glendale Police Dept., Deputy Chief Greg Fish of the Glendale Fire Dept., Dr. Harland Gibbs of the GAMC Emergency Dept., GUSD Board of Education President Greg Krikorian, and Glendale City Manager Scott Ochoa.

These men each have personal reasons for supporting those with cancer, as well as those who have survived cancer, and want to encourage people to get examined early on.

“Cancer hits home to me personally because my sister is a seven-year cancer survivor,” shared Fish.

Feeley was also open in his reasons for supporting the cause.

“I know all too well the enemy we face in cancer,” he said. “My sister is a two-time breast cancer survivor and my mother- in-law passed away from breast cancer in February of this year.” He added that he is among many who have friends or family currently battling the disease or who have survived.

Greg Krikorian also shared that his mother is a 14-year cancer survivor.

The GAMC Army of Pink isn’t just working to gain support and donations for breast cancer research; they are also trying to bring attention to the importance of early detection.

“By putting the focus on early detection, we can save countless lives,” said CEO of Glendale Arts and captain of the Army of Pink Elissa Glickman. “Early detection equates to early treatment, which has a huge impact on stopping the spread of cancer in its tracks.”

The Army of Pink invites the public to vote for their favorite candidate by going on to the GAMC website Glendale Adventist.com/Army of Pink. Voting continues through Sunday, Oct. 26. On the last night of voting, a comedy show, “Laugh for a Cause,” will be held at the Alex Theater in Glendale, featuring comedians Vahik Pirhamzei and K-Von.

Army of Pink will continue to encourage individuals to get screened for cancer frequently.

“A cancer diagnosis is scary; the road ahead can be riddled with pain and fear, but there is also triumph,” said Glickman. “Early detection makes beating cancer more possible. Get tested, get treated, and get well.”

  Samantha SLAYBACK