Justin Whitman, in his baby pink Vineyard Vines shirt, danced on stage at the Mall at University Town Center in honor of his late sister Alicia Shekerd, who died in June at the age of 32 of stage four metastatic breast cancer.
Holding a pink rose in his hand, he made his way into the crowd, moving toward his mother Leslie Whitman, who has a tattoo in honor of Alicia, with the breast cancer symbol and the dates her life started and ended. They shared a hug, with tears in Leslie’s eyes.
“Justin and his family are here in her memory and supporting her tonight,” said Allison Imre Perkowski, who acted as the master of ceremonies for the Men Wear Pink Fashion Show Sept. 13. “Justin shares her fight with others in support of the American Cancer Society, because more research is needed and better treatments are out there.”
Jason Francey attended the event while thinking of his mother Dawn who had breast cancer in 2020. After she had a double mastectomy, Jason stayed with her to care for her.
“There's so many different people who are affected, and I'm glad to see that there's a male presence that supports it,” Jason Francey said.
“It's an amazing group of guys, and many of them have been doing it for years,” said DeeAnne de Spirlet, the senior development manager of American Cancer Society. “We have veterans and we've got newbies, but some people have been doing it for five, six, or seven years.”
Men Wear Pink is a national campaign with the goal to raise funds and awareness to help in the fight against breast cancer. As a nation, they raised over $11 million. The Sarasota-Manatee team contributed more than $255,000.
Siesta Key's Linda and Larry Keefe attend the Men Wear Pink event to support Pete Vosler of First Physicians Group, who lost both of his grandmothers to cancer.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch residents Monique Govostes and Jane Bruyer attend the Mean Wear Pink event at The Mall at University Town Center.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Linda Formella and Shirley Lane are both breast cancer survivors who say they are glad to be in attendance. Formella faced the cancer and was cancer free for eight years before it came back. She has now been cancer free for one year and Lane has been cancer free for 17 years.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Justin Whitman of Tropicana Brands Group has been an ambassador for the Men Wear Pink event for last three years. His sister Alicia Shekerd died in June at the age of 32 after a 17 month battle with stage four metastatic breast cancer.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Frank Padur of Preferred SHORE Real Estate chose to be part of the Men Wear Pink show in honor of family members who have passed due to cancer as well as those still fighting.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Blake Fitzpatrick, the owner of Sunshine Movers, is a Men Wear Pink co-chair alongside Joy Mclean. He sports a rose suit from Men's Warehouse.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Jonathan Marsh, owner of Home Helpers Home Care, has lost a grandfather to liver cancer and an uncle to leukemia. He has 14 rescue animals (6 dogs, 6 cats and 2 parrots).
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sheri McFarland takes a video of the audience while her husband Luke McFarland of McFarland Mortgage Group sports a suit from Men's Warehouse.
Photo by Madison Bierl
During Justin Whitman's part of the fashion show, he dances in honor of his late sister Alicia Shekerd. His best friend Joey Saviano and his parents Doug and Leslie Whitman cheer him on from the audience.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Rick Perkowski joins his father David Perkowski of Preferred SHORE Real Estate to support Men Wear Pink.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Chloe Erickson, 7, Ivy Grace, 1 and Naomi Erickson come to the show to support Spencer Allen. Allen was part of the show to honor his previous boss Krystal Irwin, who lost her battle to cancer.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Men Who Wear Pink attendees Jason Francey, Samantha Slechta, Kevin Thompson and Rendy Francey wait for the fashion show to begin.
Photo by Madison Bierl
James Erickson, 3, enjoys the lollipop he received in his gift bag at the Men Wear Pink event at The Mall at University Town Center.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Doug Whitman and Joey Saviano wear shirts in honor of Alicia Shekerd, who died in June after a 17 month battle with stage four metastatic breast cancer.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Leslie Whitman has a tattoo in remembrance of her daughter Alicia Shekerd, who died in June after a 17 month battle with stage four metastatic breast cancer.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Joy Mclean is co-chair of Men Wear Pink alongside Blake Fitzpatrick. Mclean works for the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Artemis is a volunteer dog from Sarasota Memorial Hospital who brings joy and comfort to patients every day.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Rich Carroll of Home Team Inspection Services has been involved in Men Wear Pink for four years. He is joined on stage by 2-year-old Creed Carroll and 4-year-old Ruth Carroll.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sammy Lynch of Sunbelt Marketing has been an ambassador for Men Wear Pink for seven years. He is wearing a Robert Graham limited edition jacket called the "Grand Entrance."
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.
