Representatives from twelve public safety agencies throughout western Kentucky joined 24 breast cancer survivors, as well as hospital doctors, nurses and staff, to film the hospital's fourth video entry in the annual Pink Glove Dance competition. The national contest reminds women to get annual mammograms for early detection of breast cancer.
From September 9th through 23rd, submitted videos will be available for viewing and voting online at www.PinkGloveDance.com.
For this year’s entry, local survivors held signs noting a significant date in their lives, as they danced to “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors. Some marked the dates they were declared cancer-free; others said “Today” and “Every Day” are the best days of their lives.
Survivor Icy Gardner chose “8-30-06” to represent her five-year survivor mark. “I feel so blessed to be a survivor and to have been dancing today with so many others,” said Gardner, who works in the compliance department at the hospital. “Not to mention, I got my first ride in a fire truck, got my picture made with a state trooper and enjoyed sitting next to some good-looking firefighters. All in all, it was a very good time.”
The staff and cancer survivors were joined in the video by representatives from the Paducah Fire Department, Paducah Police, Paducah Bomb Squad, McCracken County Sheriff’s Department, Kentucky State Police, PHI Air Medical, Mercy EMS, Ballard County EMS, Carlisle County EMS, Livingston County EMS, Murray-Calloway EMS and Reidland-Farley Fire Department.
“We are thankful to our public safety workers for partnering with us this year on the video,” said Bonnie Schrock, Baptist Health Paducah chief operating officer. “We are excited to show the country how our hospital teams with dedicated emergency workers daily in providing for the health and well-being of our community.”
The hospital’s videos have placed in the nation’s top 8 each of the past three years. The top winners earn cash prizes for breast cancer charities. Baptist Health Paducah has designated the Kentucky Cancer Program’s Horses and Hope breast cancer education program as the beneficiary of any prize money their video may receive.
Also, to enter the contest, Baptist Health must raise $2,000 for its charity, the Your Fight Fund, which benefits local cancer patients and services. Donations can be sent to Baptist Health Foundation Paducah, c/o Pink Glove 2014, 2501 Kentucky Ave., Paducah KY 42003.
Information for this article provided by Angie Kinsey, Baptist Health Paducah.
