QUINCY, ILL. -- As the month of October begins, people across the U.S. and here in the Tri State area are going to see plenty of pink as it's breast cancer awareness month.
It's a normal work day for the linemen of Ameren Illinois. But there is something a little different with them. They've got their warning signs and their yellow vests, but take a look at what's on their head. It's not your typical hard hat. In fact, these men are showing their support for breast cancer awareness. The linemen are wearing pink hard hats.
"Had such good success in our division. People were very supportive that they wanted to do it state wide, so we offered the program across the state. $25 donation and $10 went to purchase the hat and $15 went to the Susan G Komen for the Cure,: according to Ameren division manager Craig Gilson.
The pink hat campaign started just a few months ago when Alicia Pierson told her story about surviving breast cancer to a group of her husbands co workers over in Petersburg. They decided to do something about it and the idea to wear pink hard hats and to raise money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. It took off like gangbusters and it was something Alicia never expected.
"I've never spoken about my story before. So once I talked then there was their huge reaction and in this division there was 90% participation which is amazing so then it led to the other divisions. I was really shocked, " said Pierson.
Through the campaign, Ameren was able to raise about $16,000 and donate it to the Komen for the Cure. In fact, Ameren says they've already had people asking about what they're going to do next year all because of the story Alicia Pierson shared about being diagnosed with breast cancer at age 26.
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