Dancing with Determination: Medline Pink Glove Dance Video Competition Uniquely Celebrates Survivors and Hope

How a pair of pink exam gloves sparked a global movement to celebrate breast cancer survivors, hope and joy

Mundelein, Ill., Aug. 11, 2015 – Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. The thought of getting a mammogram can be uncomfortable, yet is a necessary step. To help ease that journey and get people talking openly about breast cancer, Medline, a global distributor of medical supplies and clinical solutions across the continuum of care, sparked a breast cancer awareness movement when the company introduced the first pink exam gloves back in 2009. Just two short years later, the company took a giant leap forward and launched the Medline Pink Glove Dance video competition, the only campaign to unite thousands of healthcare professionals, patients, survivors and communities – all through the joy of dancing.

Now in its fifth year, the competition still stands as a tribute to those affected by the disease and a symbol that they are not alone in this fight. While some walk and others run to create awareness, Medline dances while wearing pink exam gloves.

History of the Medline Pink Glove Dance

Armed with cameras and choreography, Medline took to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Ore. in 2009 where 200 healthcare workers added “dancer” to their job role when they sported Medline pink exam gloves and danced to help promote breast cancer awareness. The video debuted on YouTube and quickly went viral. To date, the video has received more than 14 million views. As a result of the overwhelming and enthusiastic response to the original Pink Glove Dance video, Medline launched the Pink Glove Dance competition in 2011.

“When I found out our video went viral, my first instinct as a nurse was ‘that can’t be good. Viral is bad.’ But when I discovered what it meant for videos, I realized the positive impact didn’t stop there,” said Martie Moore, Medline chief nursing officer and one of the leaders of the original Pink Glove Dance video. “To see this grow into a global competition is amazing, and it all started with a pair of pink exam gloves.”

Here are five facts you might not have known about the Pink Glove Dance:

1. Nearly 200,000 people have shown off their dancing skills

Although healthcare workers and breast cancer survivors make up a significant part of the pink-gloved dancers in the videos, there are often guest appearances. During the 2014 Pink Glove Dance competition, current and former Green Bay Packers players made an appearance in Bellin Health’s division winning video. Other non-healthcare partners that have gotten involved include police departments, fire departments and schoolchildren of all ages.

2. Pink Glove Dance received a royal boost

In 2013, Queen Sofia of Spain showed support for the cause when Hospital Universitario La Paz submitted a video. Over the past five years, more than 20 other countries have been involved with the Pink Glove Dance movement including Spain, France and Australia. Since the launch of the entire competition, more than 600 dance videos have been submitted from participants worldwide.

3. Quickly approaching $1 million in donations

As part of the competition, participants select charities to raise money for and the winners also receive a donation from Medline to their charity of choice. To date, participants have raised and donated nearly $950,000 to charities and will be awarding another $57,500 to the designated charities of this year’s division winners on Oct. 1.

4. More than 100 charities have received support

The Pink Glove Dance has provided financial support to charities across the country. For example, when University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences placed first in the non-healthcare division in 2014, their donation helped fund over 200 nights of free lodging to cancer patients staying at the 20^th Century Club’s Lodge in Little Rock, Ark. while undergoing treatment in the area. Furthermore, the American Cancer Society- East Central Division of Pennsylvania used their donation from Geisinger Health to help fund transportation so patients receiving treatment would have access to care, even in rural areas.

5. Pink Glove Dance has received star-studded support

Since the launch of the competition, the Pink Glove Dance has received support from nationally recognized individuals who’ve personally been touched by breast cancer, such as power couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic, former CNN anchor Zoraida Sambolin, and television star Samantha Harris, who formerly hosted “Dancing with the Stars.” Earlier this year, nearly 1,000 operating room nurses joined Harris in a special pink glove dance at Medline’s 10^th annual breast cancer awareness breakfast in Denver. She revealed her favorite dance move, the running man, and quickly got everyone in the room up on their feet and following along.

For Vicki Johnson, a survivor and member of Medline’s sales team for more than 12 years, the competition and education hold a very personal meaning. In 2014, Johnson discovered a lump during a self-examination. She now makes it a point to talk very candidly about the reality of this disease and the importance of living life to the fullest.

“I purchased a pink wig during my treatment to start a conversation and to make a statement. It brought smiles to many faces and it has given me the opportunity to share my journey and get women talking about mammograms and breast self-exams,” said Johnson. “With Medline’s continued support for research and awareness, and the excitement of the Pink Glove Dance, this has helped me and those battling this disease with strength, joy and hope.”

The 2015 Pink Glove Dance contestants are one step closer to winning the competition and the funds for their designated breast cancer charity. With the video submissions in, voting is set to begin on Sept. 9. To lean more, visit www.pinkglovedance.com.

About Medline’s Pink Glove Dance Campaign

Back in 2009, Medline Industries, Inc. turned everyday exam gloves from blue to pink. This sparked the beginning of the company’s unique breast cancer education campaign. The introduction of the pink gloves helps take the scary out of detection exams and reminds nurses about the importance of creating a comfortable, friendly and open dialogue with patients. A few years later, Medline created the Pink Glove Dance video competition, bringing together nearly 200,000 healthcare professionals, patients, survivors and communities to celebrate hope for a cure and honor all who have been affected by the disease – all through the joy of dancing. More than 16 million YouTube® views later, the Medline Pink Glove Dance competition has inspired nearly 1,000 dance videos and raised nearly $1 million for breast cancer charities nationwide. In addition, Medline has donated $1.6 million to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) in support of its mission to save lives through early detection and offering free mammograms for women in need.

About Medline

Medline is a global manufacturer and distributor serving the healthcare industry with medical supplies and clinical solutions that help customers achieve both clinical and financial success. Headquartered in Mundelein, Ill., the company offers 350,000+ medical devices and support services through more than 1,200 direct sales representatives who are dedicated points of contact for customers across the continuum of care.  For more information on Medline, go to www.medline.com or http://www.medline.com/social-media to connect with Medline on its social media channels.