Inspiring Greater Breast Cancer Awareness through Dance and Dialogue

Nearly a thousand nurses join Medline at its 11th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Breakfast

Anaheim, Calif., April 4, 2016 – Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate and can unknowingly strike regardless of age, race, history or zip code. In fact, new information shows that in 2016, nearly 247,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women, a six percent increase from the number of estimated cases the year before. Today, Medline reaffirmed its commitment to breast cancer awareness in communities nationwide by honoring the strength and courage of patients, survivors and caregivers at its 11^th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Breakfast.

The event, happening in conjunction with the 2016 Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Surgical Conference & Expo in Anaheim, Calif., included nearly a thousand nurses participating in an inspiring dance.

“If it’s in the OR, at the bedside, or out in the community, Medline is committed to helping healthcare professionals perform at their very best,” says Sue MacInnes, chief market solutions officer, Medline. “Through the years, thousands of nurses have joined us in showing some spunk by dancing in pink exam gloves, all to help celebrate survivors, and spread hope and joy in a meaningful way. Clinicians are on the frontlines of care. They play a vital role in helping patients navigate the raw and often scary path of cancer.”

Nurse Becomes Patient

Keynote speaker Hollye Jacobs’ breast cancer diagnosis came at 39. As a mother with no family history of this disease, she found herself moving from the side of the hospital bed as a nurse and into the bed as a patient. The breast cancer survivor and New York Times best-selling author of “The Silver Lining” shared how hopefulness and intuition guided her through her journey.

“Helping others is second nature for nurses but I learned the concept of self-care the hard way,” says Jacobs. “Despite looking in the mirror and seeing the ravages of treatment, I knew in my heart that I was still me. No surgery or disease could take that away from me. I applaud Medline for having this important forum and showing us how two pink gloves can spark a whirlwind of joy and impact.”

Medline and Its Breast Cancer Mission

A woman’s breast cancer detection journey can be filled with fear. To help create a comfortable, friendly and open dialogue about breast cancer between nurses and patients, Medline, a global medical supplies distributor, introduced the first pink exam gloves in 2009. In 2011, the company created the Medline Pink Glove Dance Competition, the only campaign to unite thousands of healthcare professionals, patients, survivors and communities – all through the joy of dancing. For over a decade, Medline has been committed to breast cancer awareness and early detection through a partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). To date, the company has donated $1.7 million to NBCF, which has helped nearly 670,000 women in need of screening and treatment, in addition to supporting research, and spreading breast cancer education to over 4 million people via Beyond the Shock, a comprehensive online guide to understanding breast cancer. Medline also provides free, on-site mammograms to employees with more than 1,500 screenings to date.

Since its inception, more than 10,000 operating room nurse professionals have attended the company’s Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Breakfast. Notable speakers include actors Ann Jillian, Rue McClanahan, Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker, celebrities Giuliana and Bill Rancic, journalists Linda Ellerbee and Zoraida Sambolin, Dr. Marla Shapiro, and three-time breast cancer survivor and avid runner Judy Pickett.

Learn more about the company’s commitment at http://www.medline.com/about-us/breast-cancer-awareness/.

Join in or follow the conversation about this breast cancer awareness initiative by using #MedlineBCA.

About Medline

Medline is a global manufacturer and distributor serving the health care 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.