The American Cancer Society Relay for Life Dallas County Real Men Wear Pink Campaign is nearing the final stretch in their effort to raise money, spread awareness and fight against breast cancer.

“In addition to wearing pink and raising awareness about breast cancer, these men will be raising funds to help the American Cancer Society save more lives from breast cancer,” Alvin Craig, event lead for the American Cancer Society said in a press release. “Funds raised allow the Society to help save lives from breast cancer through early detection and prevention, innovative breast cancer research and patient support.”

The Relay for Life campaign has had several different fundraising efforts in surrounding counties, according to Craig, but this is the first year for the Real Men Wear Pink fundraiser.

“Real Men Wear Pink is a new element to the Relay for Life fundraising effort,” Craig said.

The campaign had 27 prominent men from the Dallas County area lead the way for the fundraising effort. The men have organized bake sales, cookouts and other mini-fundraising events to help raise money for the campaign, according to Craig.

“They’re from Orrville. They’re from Valley Grande. They’re from different parts of the community here in Dallas County, and they’re with the same cause to raise money and help fund research for breast cancer,” he said.

The campaign began in late September and has continued through October, which is breast cancer awareness month. The campaign ends on Friday, Nov 3, and the campaign is still accepting donations. As of Friday afternoon, the group has raised $1,573 in on-line donations. The figure doesn’t include the money donated offline which will be tallied on Nov. 15. Craig said the fundraising goal for the inaugural Real Men Wear Pink campaign is $15,000.

The real men wearing pink for the campaign are DeWarren Baldwin-Resurrection Barber Shop, Corey Bowie-Selma’s City Council, President, Beondridge Bradley-Bradley Paint and Body Shop, Rev. Willie Cole- Associate Pastor, Alvin Craig-Vaughan Regional Medical Center, Eric Desch-Kinder Morgan Equipment and Controls, Matt Dobbs-Mayor Valley Grande, Mike Granthum-Captain Dallas County Sheriff dept., Rev. Will Jackson-Summer Grove Baptist, Kent James-Ret. , Catesby Jones-First Cahawba Bank Board President, William Lumpkin-Town of Orrville, Rev. Dr. Billy Marshall-Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Mr. Charles McCall-Retired Wilcox County Principal, David McCormack-Vaughan Regional Medical Center CEO, Antwuan McGhee-Teacher, Rev. Darryl Moore-2nd Baptist Church, Ray Moore-Retired Selma Police Dept., James Packard-Walmart Store Manager, Dale Pate-Walmart Co-Manager, John Solomon-Selma City Schools, John “Brandon” Solomon-Vice Principal Keith High School, Dr. William Stevens-OB/GYN Selma, Ronnie Walker-Globe Metallurgical, Tim Williamson-Carter Drug Pharmacist, Rev. Nathaniel Young and Warren Young-Assistant Attorney General State of Alabama Revenue.

“We are in competition [with each other], and no one really knows how much has been turned in except for what they see on-line,” Craig said. “We’ll be giving a first, second and third place prize to the top fundraising contestants, and we’ll also give a prize to the top on-line fundraiser as well.”