Pink Glove Dance Video Spreads Breast Cancer Awareness

Nov 30, 2009— -- It all started when a medical supply created a new line of hospital gloves -- in pink.

"We thought that seeing health care workers wear pink gloves would remind people to talk about breast cancer and that some of the money from the gloves could be used to pay for mammograms for women that couldn't afford it," said Sue MacInnes of Medline Industries Inc., the company that created the gloves.

But what was the best way to promote the pink gloves -- and the cause that inspired them?

Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Ore., decided to help by making a video and posting it on YouTube. Medline Industries Inc. says it will donate a portion of the profits from the pink gloves to fund mammograms for women who otherwise would not get them.

"We had so many people who said, 'You know, this disease has touched my life. I want to be a part of it,'" said Martie Moore, the nursing manager at Providence St. Vincent.

The result? More than 200 hospital staff volunteered to wear the pink gloves in a video, set to Jay Sean's song, "Down." From lab technicians and the kitchen help to surgical teams, they all let loose in the video, dancing from place to place in the hospital.

Click Here to view the Pink Glove Video

"All of us had our own anxiety but we were so committed to what we were doing that we got over it," said Moore. "We did talk about the fact that we weren't dancers… we're not professional dancers, but we had great heart and great spirit." It took two days of shooting in the hospital.

"We just had fun," Moore told ABC News. "I don't know if we're going to be on "Dancing with the Stars" soon."

Much to their surprise, the video has inspired and energized people around the globe. Since it was posted on Nov. 13, it's been viewed more than 1.6 million times.

"When a video shows the joy, and the camaraderie, and the commitment – that makes a difference," said breast cancer patient Ann Soul.

"They say laughter is the best medicine. You got it," said Lily Melvin, who is also battling breast cancer.

Thousands have posted inspiring comments -- even singer Sean responded by posting a link to the video on his website. On his Facebook page he wrote, "The vid is awesome…medicine will always be close to my heart and this is such a worthy and important cause. So maybe I could have been a doctor and a singer at the same time after all then? Just brilliant."

On the YouTube page with the video, one person wrote, "That was GREAT! I loved it – and the fact that it was starring the people who helped save my mother's life makes it personal for me. Thanks to them all!!"

"This is too cool!" wrote another. " My grandma passed away on Nov. 12 after a 3 1/2 year battle with breast cancer. Her memorial is in a week and I really want to show everyone this! She would have LOVED it!"