Four men in the community volunteered to raise money through Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October for the American Cancer Society. The funds they raised totaled $11,155.

Throughout the month of October, the local men who volunteered their time and efforts were tasked with wearing something pink everyday, while also raising money.

“We were really pleased,” Leigh Anne Hehr said about the participation in the Real Men Wear Pink campaign.

Hehr said the American Cancer Society was excited to bring the campaign to Muskingum County this year.

“I think it comes back to the idea that thousands of men are diagnosed with breast cancer but, on top of that, hundreds of thousands of men are supporting the women that they love with their breast cancer diagnosis,” Hehr said in a previous Y-City News report. “And it just gives them a unique opportunity to get involved in a way that they haven’t had an opportunity to in the past.”

The top three fundraisers included:

• Mark Falls with Dutro Ford Lincoln Nissan raised $5,283
• Matt Perry with Genesis Healthcare System raised $5,000
• Roderick Gibson with Lepi and Associates, and a soccer coach for Tri-Valley High School, raised $847

An additional $11,621 was donated to the campaign through sponsorships and community donations in Muskingum County totaling a combined $22,776 raised.

Two of the men that participated in the campaign used their professional platforms as a way to get others in the community involved.

Gibson, along with the help of his soccer team, turned one of his games into a pink-out where his players wore pink in support of breast cancer education and awareness.

The coach told his players that if $500 was raised through ticket sales, raffles and donations during the game, they could pie him in the face at the next game.

A week later, Gibson got a pie in the face.

Falls, who serves as the general sales manager, hosted a “Pinktober” event at Dutro, complete with a bake sale, raffles, split the pot and more.

“I did it to help, to help with breast cancer,” Falls said. “Every one of us knows somebody who has had cancer.”

While Falls was tasked with raising $2,500, he surpassed his goal but raising over double the amount.

“It became a challenge for me personally,” Falls said. “And it was for a great cause.”

Hehr said the American Cancer Society appreciated the participation of all the volunteers and is planning to bring the RMWP campaign back to Muskingum County next year.

All of the donations raised in the county will go toward breast cancer research and education, as well as programs for breast cancer patients.