10/21/17 — Bras out for breast cancer: First responders put on a show to raise money to support free mammograms

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Bras out for breast cancer: First responders put on a show to raise money to support free mammograms

By Ethan Smith
Published in News on October 21, 2017 1:08 PM

News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO

Firefighters dance around during the opening of Bras for a Cause at Paramount Theatre Friday night. Each decorated bra is auctioned off during the annual fundraiser helps to provide mammograms through the WATCH program.

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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO

Fremont Police Chief Paul Moats "directs traffic" in a Carolina Panthers theme bra to be auctioned off during the Bras for a Cause fundraiser Friday night. The bra was purchased for $125.

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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO

Fremont Police Chief Paul Moats models a Carolina Panthers theme bra to be auctioned off during the Bras for a Cause fundraiser Friday night. The bra was purchased for $125.

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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO

Rena Smith from Mar Mac Fire Department whips her hair around trying to win over the crowd to drive up bids during the annual Bras for a Cause Fundraiser.

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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO

Polly Watson firefighter Justin Lucke dances around on stage in a butterfly bra to raise money to provide mammograms though WATCH.

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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO

Walker Barrow with Wayne County EMS stretches out a stethiscope above his head as he performs during Bras for a Cause Friday night at the Paramount Theatre. This year area fire, law enforcement and EMS personel participated in the event.

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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO

Dusty Wooten with Little River Fire Department shows off his pink bra to the crowd Friday night during Bras for a Cause.

Fremont Police Chief Paul Moats cast off his shirt, kept the hat, picked up his whistle and donned a bra Friday night -- all for a good cause.

The annual Bras for a Cause event, hosted at the Paramount Theatre by Curtis Media Group radio stations and sponsored by other local businesses, was a hit Friday night as about 60 firefighters, EMS personnel and police officers strutted their stuff for charity.

Male and female first responders danced across the stage of the Paramount Theatre to country, rap, hip-hop, R&B and more as they tried to lure the crowd into buying the bras off their backs.

Bids on the bras started at $25 or $30, and quickly escalated as people threw their bids into contention to try and get their very own decorated bra from the event.

And while the fanfare was greeted by sharp whistles, hoots and hollering from the crowd -- some participants bold enough to bury audience members faces' into their chests -- the risquÃ(c) fundraiser is designed to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research and treatment.

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month each year, there was no better time to hold the event.

There are about 250,000 cases of breast cancer in the United States each year, with one percent of those diagnoses happening to men.

With some bras auctioning off for more than $100 -- one bra garnering a winning bid of $250 -- thousands of dollars were raised for WATCH.

WATCH provides health care to uninsured residents of Wayne County. The charitable event raised about $6,000 last year, and all proceeds from the event go to WATCH to be used for mammograms so people can be screened for breast cancer.

There were nine breast cancer survivors in the crowd Friday night.

And the audience had a blast watching the first responders break character, let loose and have a little fun.

This year was the first year Wayne County EMS participated in the event.

Not to be outdone by Moats, one EMS worker -- Scott Hollandsworth -- strutted onto the stage with a stethoscope affixed to his waist, poking through the fly of his pants.

He grabbed the stem of the stethoscope and twirled it around in his hand as he danced on stage, much to the crowd's enjoyment.

Hollandsworth said he couldn't resist spicing up his routine a bit after seeing Moats on the stage.

"The cop went up, and I had to top that somehow because he had a whistle," Hollandsworth said after his routine. "So I think that was the only way I could do that. I had to use it (the stethoscope) to my advantage."

Hollandsworth said it was his first time participating in the event, and he was more than happy to do it.

"They asked me to do it," Hollandsworth said. "I have no problem supporting breast cancer whatsoever. It's a sad disease, but it's awesome for people to come out and do stuff like this to raise  awareness for it."