BEAUMONT, Texas — As the Southeast Texas community continues to spread breast cancer awareness this October, a group of highly motivated men are continuing to do their part.
Men Wear Pink of Southeast Texas is a nonprofit that supports the American Cancer Society. The group is dedicated to creating a future free of breast cancer.
The Men Wear Pink nonprofit actually ended up saving the life of one of their ambassadors Josh Davis.
Davis worked with the American Cancer Society, never expecting anything in return. But volunteering saved his life after being dared to shave his head.
"So when I found my melanoma, I was within a window of time to where all I had was a surgery. I had no chemo, no radiation. Had I waited six months, it would have been completely different," said Davis.
Davis learned that he had cancer after dedicating eight years of his life to the American Cancer Society.
"The doctors all said that I was very fortunate with when I found it and how I found it," Davis said.
He was diagnosed with aggressive, early-stage melanoma at 20-years-old after shaving his head as a dare.
"So there is a chance that had I not been involved, had we not had people that support these causes and these nonprofits I wouldn't have made it to my 21st birthday," he said
Davis advocates for breast cancer awareness this October-alongside his 38 brothers of Men Wear Pink.
"So it's a way for us to raise awareness whilst raising some much needed funds that go towards services and education and, most importantly, research and new treatment options," said Davis.
Altus Cancer Center radiation oncologist Dr. Chisa Echendu says it's important for women to get checked out.
"Many women and men are often taking care of other issues and tend to put their health on the backburner. When breast cancer is caught early, it can be treated and cured," said Dr. Echendu.
She and Davis agree it takes all of us to make cancer, history.
"And so it's important to have this time to just dedicate for people to just pay attention to their health and to get the appropriate screening and checks to prevent more advanced diseases," Dr. Echendu said.
"Just knowing our body and listening to our body, it tells us a story," said Davis.
You can get involved in the fight to eliminate breast cancer, for more information visit the Men Wear Pink Southeast Texas website.