Masks on, awareness up! That was the mood at Pink Nail Society’s second annual Masquerade In Pink Ball at Hunters Nightclub. The organization is dedicated to prostate cancer detection.
“It’s vital to the community,” founder Stephen Tendrich said. “Awareness is key.”
While the organization has been around for more than a decade, this is only the second year for their gala. Their logo is a pink-painted little finger which accompanies the slogan: Give Prostate Cancer the Finger. A nail-painting station was set up next to the check-in table while South Florida legend Kitty Meow interviewed arrivals on the pink carpet.
Guests showed in some of the most creative costumes with everything from glittery paisley patterns to pink jackets to feather festooned hats.
Eric Restivo hosted the night and showed up in pink glasses, a fierce reflective pink top and two painted pinky nails.
“I choose this event because I didn’t realize how prostate cancer was such an issue among everyone, not just LGBTQ. I took a step back and just because it doesn’t apply to me right now in this moment doesn’t mean that it’s not important.”
Prostate cancer is one of the few cancers that is detectable through a blood test. It is increasingly common in men after 50 but has a nearly universal five-year survival rate when caught early.
Symptoms include blood in urine or semen, getting up to pee more often overnight, and trouble starting a stream. However, many, if not most, patients are asymptomatic until they are diagnosed, which means running the test during routine blood work is crucial.
Photo by JR Davis.
