Paint the Town Pink brings breast cancer awareness to downtown Albany

ALBANY – An elite group of men strutted their stuff on the pink carpet on Friday to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The ninth annual Paint the Town Pink festival brought out a lively crowd to celebrate breast cancer survivors.

“It’s a day of giving back,” Tee Taylor, a city of Albany Recreation and Parks supervisor said. “It’s raising awareness to let people know that we are here to support them.”

The event featured food trucks, remarks from speakers and vendors sharing information, but the highlight was the fashion show, which featured some of the county’s top officials, some of whom made decidedly pink sartorial choices.

Participants included Dougherty County Commission Chairman Lorenzo Heard, Albany Fire Department Chief Cedric Scott and many others from city and county departments and Turner Job Corps.

“It’s the city, the city and the county, coming together to make a difference,” Taylor said. “I like to do this fashion show to show the community we care. We just want to bring a smile to your face. This fashion show is all about making your day a bright day.”

For Turner Job Corps Deputy Director Yelvis Parker, his sister-in-law, who had recently had a mastectomy, was a motivation.

“I just wanted to let her know I support her,” he said. “(It’s) just supporting her and letting her know how much we love her.

“She’s doing well. Her spirits are up. We’re very thankful.”

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
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