Supporting & Promoting Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast cancer awareness has been an important cause for Medline for more than 10 years, starting with initiatives at the global headquarters in the United States. Back in 2009, Medline Industries, Inc. (now Medline Industries, LP) turned everyday exam gloves from green to pink.

The pink gloves help take the scary part out of detection exams and remind nurses about the importance of creating comfortable, friendly and open dialogue with patients.

In 2005, Medline made a conscious decision to create a breast cancer awareness campaign, with the vision that ‘A World without Breast Cancer Is in Our Reach’.

A decade later, Medline’s campaign has helped make significant strides in improving the lives of everyone affected by the disease, including patients, survivors, families of those whose battle ended and healthcare workers.

European Pink Glove Competitions

To raise breast cancer awareness, Medline launched the original competition, the Pink Glove Dance, in 2009. Now, Medline hosts Pink Glove Competitions in the United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

The Pink Glove Competitions have become an international, inspirational phenomenon. The goal of these competitions is to raise awareness about breast cancer, create smiles amongst the people fighting, honour hospital staff and increase funding for the search for the cure-all while wearing pink gloves.

In 2013, the first Pink Glove Competition took place in Europe. Medline hosted the Pink Glove Dance Competition, uniting clinicians, survivors and communities in a unique way to support breast cancer awareness and prevention through the spirit of dance.

Later, in 2016, Medline Europe launched its very first Pink Glove Photo Competition. The goal was simple: each participant (anyone who works in healthcare) could take a picture involving Medline’s pink gloves to promote breast cancer awareness. The picture that received the most votes, i.e. likes on Facebook, would be the winner, and the winning image would be featured until the next competition began.

However, due to the ongoing pandemic, and in recognition of the increased demand for healthcare workers’ time and services, the 2020 and 2021 Pink Glove Photo Competitions were cancelled. The competition will return as soon as the situation stabilises.

Winning photo - Pink Glove Photo Competition 2019

'Aquí Están Nuestras Manos y Nuestro Corazón'
'Here are our hands and our heart.'

Planta Oncología – Hospital de León, Spain

Winning photo - Pink Glove Photo Competition 2018

‘Esistono mani fatate che possono salvare vite.’
‘There are magic hands that can save lives.’
Asur 4 Senigallia, Italy

Winning photo - Pink Glove Photo Competition 2017

‘There is no risk to getting tested, but for many women, it can be a scary and difficult decision. Staying healthy is an act of affection. So put your health in the best hands. And feel the (g)love’.

Feel the (g)love by Dr Anastasia Pazaiti, breast cancer surgeon, Greece

Winning photo - Pink Glove Photo Competition 2016

'This photograph represents being alive and wanting to continue feeling alive!!! So after winning the battle, the perfect imperfections that are left on my body do not make me want to stop smiling and loving what life represents. I am happy–I am missing a breast–so what? A caress, a kiss, a hug–the best emotional medicine you can receive. I love life!'

Clinica Bofill, Spain

Collaboration with Keep A Breast Europe

As part of our breast cancer awareness activities, Medline is proud of its partnership with Keep A Breast Europe (KABE). KABE is dedicated to empowering young people around the world with breast health education and support.

KABE has developed a mobile application called ‘Check Yourself ’, which provides information about breast health and encourages regular self- checks.

As part of the collaboration agreement, Medline donates funds to KABE from each Generation Pink® exam glove case sold. The funds have been and will be used to promote and sponsor the development and translation of the ‘Check Yourself’ app into German, Spanish and Italian. The German and Spanish apps are now available for download from the iOS and Android app stores.