Swedish Covenant Hospital

When the first Pink Glove Dance video came out, I thought “Hey, why didn’t we think of that.” I had someone put it on a disc and played it for the rest of the staff in the OR. Some of them said, “We could do that,” as they watched the video or danced to the music in the staff lounge.

Then the Pink Glove Dance Competition was announced. We talked about it in the Morning Report and decided that we would like to try it. So we chose the music, contacted Public Relations, and got so busy that we didn’t have time to think. Mostly, all we did was work, go home and come to work the next day. When we talked about the dance, everyone was positive and said that they would like to dance. We contacted our departments and they said that they would like to participate. We set a date and a time for rehearsal and for filming. As the dates neared, the numbers started dwindling. Kids had games, families had emergencies, plans changed and other things came up. We even discussed whether or not to proceed.

And then we started to talk about the pink gloves, the competition and Breast Cancer. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, breast or any other type, it not only affects them, but all of those around them. A young mother’s life is turned upside down; her husband is now the nurturer, the caregiver, the strength of the family. Older children become caregivers and the support system. Friends try to be there to give a supporting hand or just hold a hand.

But then, we started to think. A penny all by itself is one cent, but if you start collecting, you can get dollars. One drop of water can’t do much, but spring showers bring May flowers. One small idea can start a very large movement. One person working alone may not be able to accomplish much, but with the help and support of others, mountains can be moved.

So on the day of filming, we were a small but enthusiastic group, dancing our hearts out in our Pink Gloves. We were dancing for our mothers, sisters, aunts, friends and co-workers. We may not win any prizes, but our efforts, along with all of the other pink glove dances, can bring about a continued awareness, an awareness that will see the end of the need for pink glove dances.