Real Men Wear Pink: Raising Awareness & Funds to Fight Cancer

Each October, NAPA AUTO PARTS and Genuine Parts employees across the country join forces with the American Cancer Society’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer. This year, Bret Robyck, NAPA’s Senior Vice President Commercial Sales, served as GPC’s Real Men Wear Pink representative.

Robyck joined community leaders around the nation to use the power of pink to support the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer initiatives including innovative research, patient services, and education to attack cancer from every angle. Robyck’s team is among the top in Atlanta, raising nearly $45,000 in 2020.

The American Cancer Society’s first national Real Men Wear Pink Ambassador was World Boxing Champion Oscar De La Hoya, whose mother lost her battle with breast cancer 10 years ago. Like De La Hoya, the cause for Robyck is personal. In addition to knowing several individuals who are fighting breast cancer, he lost a friend to this disease. Candice, a mother of three, passed away at age 48 within one year of a Stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis.

The good news is the American Cancer Society is saving more lives from breast cancer than ever before. They’re helping people take steps to reduce their risk of breast cancer or find it early, when it’s easier to treat. In addition to funding groundbreaking research, the organization maintains a 24/7 helpline for answers and support, and provide free rides to treatment.

Robyck said, “I was motivated to get involved when I saw the wonderful work my local chapter was doing to support research and current cancer patients who don’t have the resources to access treatment. Imagine having breast cancer but you can’t afford to access the help you need.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the funds raised through the Real Men Wear Pink campaign are more important than ever. Cancer patients are among those at high risk of serious illness from an infection because their immune systems are often weakened by cancer and its treatments. In this new era, the American Cancer Society’s resolve to fight back against breast cancer is still unmatched!

Since GPC’s first Real Men Wear Pink campaign in 2018, the company has helped the American Cancer Society provide support in the following ways:

• Currently funding $6.2 million in research grants at Georgia institutions
• Funded 47 eventual Nobel Prize recipients
• Provided 30,000+ nights of free and reduced-cost lodging to Georgia patients
• Provided 12,000+ rides to treatment for appointments
• Handled 1.34+ million calls and live chats