Real men are wearing a pink campaign in progress | New

The men in Warren County have set a collective goal of $ 25,000, and each participant will campaign in a unique way to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and prevention efforts.

One of these men is Neil Griggs, who owns FASTSIGNS of Bowling Green, a company of signage, graphic design and visual communications.

About two years ago, Leah Griggs, Griggs' wife, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Together, they endured the whole gamut of radiation, chemotherapy and "all the emotions that come with it," he said.

So, when a representative of the American Cancer Society asked if he wanted to participate in the campaign this year, Griggs happily accepted.

"It was a pretty obvious answer," Griggs said.

For the month of October, Griggs will hand over part of all FASTSIGNS sales to the American Cancer Society, as well as placards for the 10K Bowling Green Medical Center on Saturday and, of course, will carry a lot of pink .

The national campaign, which began in Kentucky, including Bowling Green, in 2016, wins most of its participants through a process of nominating former participants or staff of the American Cancer Society, according to Lorri Malone, director of communications of the chapter of the American Cancer Society in Kentucky.

"Mostly, we pat him on the shoulder," said Malone, who named two men in his home town of Louisville.

And this shoulder tapping has quickly gained momentum throughout the state. Last year, the Bowling Green campaign was extended to Warren County.

"It has met with such success, excitement and enthusiasm, it has really taken off in our region," said Malone. "There are more than 106 men (in Kentucky) who have mobilized to raise awareness and raise funds for the fight against breast cancer."

Breast cancer is formed when breast cells replicate uncontrollably. The destructive disease is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer.

Between 2011 and 2015, nearly 400 new cases of breast cancer in women were diagnosed in Warren County. In these four years, 68 women have died of breast cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Breast cancer also affects men. Every year in the United States, approximately 237,000 women and 2,100 men are diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the CDC.

"It's not just a women's disease," Malone said. In addition to personally contracting the disease, "men can be caregivers, friends, husbands, brothers, sons, co-workers".

It's a way for men to say "I'm with you," says Malone.

People can reduce their risk of breast cancer by maintaining a healthy weight, by exercising regularly, by avoiding or limiting alcohol and by breastfeeding their children. Another important measure is regular mammography, an X-ray screening for breast cancer.

Experts recommend that men and women perform monthly breast self-exams to check for lumps and to check if nipples are flowing.

And listen to your body, according to Malone. If something goes wrong, "do not delay and talk to your doctor," she said.

Griggs also hopes the campaign will encourage more women to screen regularly and more men to become more vigilant and aware of these signs.

"In the end, the goal is awareness and prevention," Griggs said. He thinks that the American Cancer Society has the appropriate platform and voice to achieve this. "It's an interesting way to get guys together and create awareness, rather than soloing."

For each of Warren County's male campaigns, dressed in pink, you can donate directly to the address https://bit.ly/2OE4cH6.

"Let's hit cancer in the ass," said Griggs.