Real Men Wear Pink of Boston Holds Wrap Party

On Thursday, January 12 at West End Johnnies, the American Cancer Society will hold a party for the Boston's Real Men Wear Pink campaign, celebrating their achievement as the top fundraisers in the country.

"In a nutshell, this party will celebrate the blockbuster year this inaugural campaign had in our city, besting all other Real Men campaigns in the country, and introduce some of next year's candidates -- distinguished men-about-town including Ron Bell of Dorchester, a longtime political activist and community organizer," said campaign manager Sasha Vaut.

The event celebrates the $174,484 that the Real Men Wear Pink of Boston raised to support the American Cancer Society, more than triple its initial goal. Boston this year was the top promotion in the country, out of 196 total Real Men Wear Pink campaigns.

Dozens of Boston's distinguished male community leaders showed their true colors and they share the American Cancer Society's vision to ensure no one faces breast cancer alone. During the past two months, Real Men Wear Pink candidates collected donations for the American Cancer Society as well as raised awareness in the fight against breast cancer both in live events in their professional and personal life settings and via social media. And they were asked to wear at least one pink item, every day, all month long!

Three awards will be given: "Highest Fundraiser," "Best Dressed," and "Talk of the Town." And, candidates will be asked to "pass the pink torch" and announce their nominations. About 100 attendees are expected. This year's fundraisers include NESN's Tom Caron, Chris Villani of Boston Herald, ESPN Radio and WEEI and Dennis Cataldo of Cataldo Ambulance Service.

Out of 2,825 total Real Men in the country, seven Boston candidates are in the top 100. James C. Foster, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Charles River Laboratories, with $25,616, was the top Boston fundraiser and won a win the Ultimate Tesla Experience prize pack. Each candidate contributed his unique talents and reached deep into his network to achieve this success. They included James Foster, Ken Martin, Fred Hussey, Theodore Dalton, Dennis Cataldo, Dr. Mark Goldberg, Jeff Leerink, Howard Kogan, Joseph Lipchitz, and many more.

While this campaign is a fundraising initiative, it also provides strong awareness efforts in the local community for the American Cancer Society and the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program. Since 1993, more than 12 million Making Strides Against Breast Cancer participants have helped raise more than $750 million to create a world free from the pain and suffering caused by breast cancer. The noncompetitive two- to five-mile walks are held in nearly 300 communities nationwide.

The American Cancer Society is determined to save lives from breast cancer by promoting early detection and prevention, funding groundbreaking research, and giving patients support wherever and whenever they need it. Because of the passion of supporters like you, candidates are helping create a world free from the pain and suffering of breast cancer.

Last year, 1.4 million walkers raised more than $60 million. Dollars raised help the American Cancer Society ensure no one faces breast cancer alone by funding innovative breast cancer research, promoting education and risk reduction and providing comprehensive patient support to those who need it most.

The party will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 12 at West End Johnnies, 138 Street in Boston.

For more information, call 800-227-2345 or visit www.MakingStridesWalk.org/BostonMA