By: Crissie Miller Kirby
Over the last year I have been so blessed in having been chosen as one of the Every Woman bloggers. I have had the chance to pursue my lifelong dream of writing and have met some wonderful people and gained much self-confidence through this endeavor. However, few things can match being asked to participate in the Lexington Medical Center’s video for the 2nd annual Pink Glove Dance competition.
As soon as the email came inviting the bloggers, I knew I wanted to participate. For those of you who may not know, the Pink Glove Dance is a competition sponsored by the medical supply company, Medline. The winners of this competition receive $10,000 to donate to a breast cancer research foundation of their choice. And, if you missed last year’s big news, our own Lexington Medical Center was the inaugural competition’s winner, securing $10,000 for the Vera Bradley Foundation!
Breast cancer is a devastating and debilitating disease. It knows no boundaries, striking young and old, black and white, men and women. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly before my oldest son was born in 2005 and almost seven years later, she is cancer free. One of my dearest friends was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 at the relatively young age of 40 and almost three years later, she too, is cancer free. In 2011, this same friend asked me to join her in participating in a Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer walk in Florida. What an honor and awesome experience it was for me to walk beside her and watch her cross the finish line after all she had been through. Being able to participate in the Pink Glove Dance was another way for me to honor these two ladies in my life, and all those who have battled breast cancer.
Fast forward to the day of the taping of the finale sequence of the video. When I arrived at the hospital locale for the shoot, I stood back in awe of the number of people in attendance. Young, old, male, female; just as breast cancer knows no boundaries, those wanting to stand up in the fight against it knew no boundaries either. There were doctors and nurses, hospital staff, and even a hospital chaplain who had to have been approaching 70 (he impressed me the most as he stayed and danced the entire 4 hours- in a clergy collar, no less).
As rehearsals began, I was reminded of just how terribly uncoordinated I was. But in the end, it made no difference because we were all learning the moves together, for a common cause. As daylight turned into dusk and then darkness, the site was illuminated with energy (and some really big flood lights). We pressed on, encouraged continually by the choreographer and director. The atmosphere was absolutely phenomenal and unmatched by just about anything I have witnessed in my 34 years.
During one of the breaks, I remember telling Jennifer Wilson how neat it was to see the breast cancer survivors themselves, many of whom had been highlighted by name in last year’s video. They truly were the stars of the night, and rightfully so. Their untiring and unwavering spirit was evidence of what had helped them make it through their battles with this dreaded disease. I think it helped to motivate all of us; I know it did me.
As the filming drew to a close, I looked around at all of the people present for this undertaking and reflected on what a wonderful and moving experience it had been for me, personally. To be surrounded by so many people, all fighting for a common cause without regard to race, gender, or religion was truly inspiring.
Years ago, breast cancer was hard to detect and treat. But today (depending on stage of detection) some breast cancer survival rates near 100%. Obviously, early detection and treatment are key in continuing to increase the survival rates. However, new and more effective treatments are continually needed and this is what the Pink Glove Dance represents; a chance to utilize funding to assist in research, development, and testing so that one day, breast cancer will be nothing more than a memory of days gone by.
In closing, obviously, we would LOVE to see a repeat win for Lexington Medical Center in the Pink Glove Dance Competition. This year’s video is set to Katy Perry’s encouraging song “Part of Me,” and chronicles the breast cancer battle of one of Lexington Medical Center’s own nurses. Voting will begin on Friday, October 12th. Be on the lookout on Facebook for the video’s debut. Make sure to “Like” it, share it, and help Lexington Medical Center secure another $10,000 donation to the Vera Bradley Foundation!
Good Luck LMC! Job well done!
Now, I look at every day as Thank God For Another Day. Instead of being thankful for just Friday and being happy that I made it to the end of the work week, I try to remind myself that I am thankful each day that I wake up. I am thankful to have a job, a wonderful group of family and friends, and the opportunity to make each day one to remember.
