Think Pink

Amy Howard of the American Cancer Society challenged me to write an inspiring email to my fellow "Real Men Wear Pink - Detroit" classmates to kick off this month's worth of fund raising activities. I share what I sent for your general amusement ... and if you feel so moved to contribute ... click here.

So, have you clicked this hashtag #RealMenWearPink on your social media platforms of choice? Go ahead. I’ll wait. … I’m waiting … The community of which we get to be a part over the next 31 days (and beyond) is gobsmacking. We. We get to do this. We. We get to play a part. We. We get to raise money and raise visibility and raise our voices and raise hope. What a gift that is. Such a gift.

I’m probably the only old soul here who knows/remembers the classic Audrey Hepburn/Fred Astaire flick Funny Face. In the film, there is a great number titled “Think Pink,” performed by the incomparable Kay Thompson. (You might remember Thompson for her famous children’s literary creation “Eloise,” who was based on her goddaughter Liza Minnelli!) Some of the lyrics to “Think Pink” …

 Think pink! think pink! when you shop for summer clothes.

?Think pink! think pink! if you want that quel-que chose.

Red is dead, blue is through,

Green's obscene, brown's taboo.

And there is not the slightest excuse for plum or puce

—or chartreuse. …

 Think pink! think pink, it's the latest word, you know.

Think pink! think pink and you're Michelangelo.

 Think pink! think pink on the long, long road ahead.

...think pink and the world is rosey-red …

 Everything on the great horizon,

Everything that you can think

and that includes the kitchen sink,

Think pink!

From my fundraising page: “Cancer has hit so many members of my family. My grandmothers both had breast cancer, and my father overcame cancer twice now: prostate and colon. We’ve made great progress, but have so far to go to understand what it is that is causing such prevalence. Yes, we can diagnose and treat so much better, but what can we change in our culture, diet, society, environment to prevent cancer in the first place? And how can we leverage these efforts to be kinder and more empathetic to one another? … I love Detroit. I’ve lived here 20 years after leaving Indiana. It’s a city full of hustle and grit and heart, and if I can help raise awareness, have some fun, and celebrate our region, I’m all about it.”

Yes, we are here to raise money. That’s job one. But, perhaps even more importantly (don’t tell the fundraisers!), we are here to raise hope. Don’t hide your efforts, don’t suddenly turn shy, and don’t NOT tell people you are involved (my inner English major just died a little death with that double negative). Our involvement, our visibility, and our engagement are key to bringing comfort to the afflicted and helping those we love know they are not alone.

So THINK PINK! Be bold! Use your social media. Tell the world what you are doing this month and why. And let’s kick cancer’s ass.

 P.S. By the way, while ostensibly this is a competition, it’s really not. The more we share each other’s posts, like each other’s posts, and celebrate each other’s efforts, the more we help the cause. So don’t let that “leader board” get in your head. Celebrate and collaborate and, yes, THINK PINK!