T’bonne’s westside expansion progresses for traffic
October 11, 2011Robert Paul Bourg
October 13, 2011Thibodaux Regional Medical Center has Pink Glove Dance fever … and that’s a good thing.
The Pink Glove Dance was an online smash in November 2009, when staff at a Portland, Ore., hospital teamed with Medline Industries Inc., manufacturer of the pink gloves, to create a fun video to help spread the word about breast cancer awareness and prevention.
The pink gloves, dubbed Generation Pink, were designed as an extension of the company’s breast cancer awareness program. “Gloves are also the first point of contact between the health-care worker and the patient. And, because the glove is pink, we hoped it would get people talking about breast cancer.”
The initial dance video quickly went viral. It generated thousands of hits, as well as letters and emails from survivors, families and friends.
Last year, Medline Industries selected 14 hospitals to participate, Thibodaux Regional among them.
The staff shimmied and gyrated to Jay Sean’s “Down” as cameras rolled. Again, videos were posted online at www.pinkglovedance.com. More than 13 million YouTube viewers have tuned in to watch the hundreds of pink glove dance videos that followed.
Now in its third year, Pink Glove Dance has upped the ante.
This year, groups dancing to Katy Perry’s “Firework” are vying for the most public votes (voting requires a Facebook account). TRMC’s offering can be viewed at http://pinkglovedance.com/videos/thibodaux-regional-medical-center.
The top three winners, to be announced online Oct. 28, will receive a $10,000 donation in their name to the breast cancer charity of their choice. Thibodaux Regional marketing director Toni Martinez said funds will be dedicated to the Bayou Region Affiliate, Susan G. Komen for the Cure if it finishes among the top vote getters.
“It’s such a good cause. Everybody wanted to be involved,” Martinez said. “That’s why we did so many of the group shots.”
Filmed in a single day, Martinez said more than 150 volunteer dancers, clinical and non-clinical staffers, learned the moves shortly before cameras rolled.
“We’ve had such a great reaction, very positive, very uplifting,” she said of the video. “It’s been phenomenal.
The video has also been a morale booster around the hospital. “This was for a great cause to raise awareness about breast cancer and the impact it can have on everybody, not just the patient.
“Everyone was really excited about being a part of it.”
Thibodaux Regional regularly hosts community screenings and educational programs not only for women, but the community in general, Martinez said. “We treat people with great compassion and respect and have a great cancer center, but we also want to be on the preventive side and help educate people about cancer and the things they can do to try and prevent it.”
The hospital is hosting a free, noon luncheon Friday. Speakers at the breast cancer awareness event include Dr. Catherine Diebold, who will discuss cancer detection and prevention; Dr. Laura Campbell, who will talk about treatments; and Dr. Barry Landry, who will discuss surgery.
To reserve a space, call (985) 447-5500.
