Jim Weaver Top Real Men Wear Pink of Anne Arundel Co. & Maryland

Real Men Wear Pink of Anne Arundel County brought in rosy fundraising results to help fight breast cancer with the American Cancer Society. As a group, the men raised more than $50,000, and for the 2nd year, Jim Weaver of Deale, Maryland is the top Real Men Wear Pink (RMWP) candidate, not only of Anne Arundel County, but for the whole state of Maryland, raising more than $30,000. His passion for the cause is inspired by his wife Vicki, a breast cancer survivor.

For the past four years in Maryland, men have united during October to fight breast cancer with the American Cancer Society by participating in Real Men Wear Pink as both an awareness and a fundraising initiative during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. RMWP is a national program of the American Cancer Society, taking place in communities across the U.S. to help fund cutting-edge breast cancer research, free rides to treatment for cancer patients through Road to Recovery, free lodging at more than 30 American Cancer Society Hope Lodges nationwide for patients who need treatment out of town and a 24/7 Cancer Information help line at 1-800-227-2345.

Brian Riddle of Homestead Gardens recently hosted the Real Men Wear Pink of Anne Arundel County wrap-up party where participants were recognized for their accomplishments. Second place went to Dave Rosage of Skipper's Pier, who tripled his total from last year to more than $7,500.

Donations are still coming in until year's end. Rob Harris of Broadneck High School raised almost $4,000; Mohan Grover of Renno's Market is over $2,500 with more expected; Jack Walsh of Arundel High School raised over $2,000, and Brian Riddle has raised $2,000 plus is collecting more donations through December 31 with a round-up option for Homestead Gardens customers.

The American Cancer Society thanks all the RMWP of Anne Arundel County participants, which included Rick Hennen of First County Mortgage, Fred Goodson of Greene Turtle in Edgewater, Richard Petty of RS Petty Consulting, Don Bailey of Crofton Elementary School, Doug Butschsky of Level 10 Business Solutions, Joe Miller of Mathnasium, Chris Truffer of Anne Arundel County Schools, and Matt Hetrick of Waterman's Tavern in Mayo.

In 2019, an estimated 268,600 women in the U.S., including 5,290 in Maryland, will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Approximately 41,760 women will die of breast cancer in the U.S. this year, including 830 in Maryland. Although male breast cancer is uncommon, according to the American Cancer Society one in 833 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetimes.