This year, as linemen go out in the field to repair power lines, they will don pink hard hats or use pink hot sticks in a powerful demonstration of their utility’s commitment to fight breast cancer. The ultimate goal is to raise awareness and research dollars for the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, after skin cancer. In fact, one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. It’s also the second-leading cause of death among women in the United States.
RWW Restoration painted Chance hot sticks pink for a Lineman's Rodeo in Colorado, and 3M is helping with the Pink Hard Hat campaign. More than 6,000 linemen will be wearing pink hard hats in the month of October. 3M will contribute $15,000 to the cause this year. So far, linemen and other field workers from companies such as Mountain Parks Electric, Riviera Utilities, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, Fletcher-Reinhardt Co., Shelby Electric Cooperative, Egyptian Electric Cooperative and Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative have signed on to wear pink hard hats in October, and Xcel Energy used the pink hot sticks at the Rodeo.
“Like so many companies in America today, breast cancer has affected those close to us,” said Mark Rose, Bluebonnet’s general manager. “Our awareness campaign is small in scope, but it’s big in heart. If we painted the whole place pink, it wouldn’t be enough.”