
The nearly 700 men attending University of Colorado Hospital Foundation’s “Men for the Cure” pulled the pink out of their closets as a show of solidarity in the fight against breast cancer.
“It’s nice to see men out for this cause,” said first-time volunteer Ashley Pokrzywinski. With wide smiles, deep laughs, and an air of camaraderie, it appeared the men were enjoying their gathering. They moved in and out of the pristine XJet facility. In the true spirit of the event’s founding members known as the “Red Meat and Cigars” crowd, The Robust Room passed out complimentary cigars from Nicaragua’s oldest as well as its newest cigar manufacturers. Men took to the outside for a few puffs. Inside, guys socialized while Bad Candy, a talented trio with guitars, moved seamlessly through classic rock, bluegrass, country, and contemporary tunes.
Goodie bags donated by Neiman Marcus contained an assortment of Kiehl’s premium beauty products proved to be the perfect bookend to the more male-oriented cigars. Event co-founder and sponsor Sharon Magness-Blake cheekily reminded the men to be sure to return home with the lovely little signature silver Neiman’s bag.
Silent auction items weighed heavy toward sports with signed footballs and enticing golf packages. Patrons were also putting pen to paper to bid for a guitar autographed by Rascal Flatts. Other revenue generators included high-end wines for sale by the bottle. And one lucky ticket holder drove home in a 2014 Lexus GS350 provided by Kuni Lexus of Greenwood Village.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has been attending the dinner long before he took office. He spoke about the dinner’s history. “This dinner has raised $1.3 million, yet our work is not done until we have won.”
Speaking of winning, John Fox, coach of the 5-0 Denver Broncos, took to the stage as the event’s keynote speaker. After sharing that he doesn’t usually make appearances during football season, he spoke about his own family connections to the disease. Then, he smiled and confessed he didn’t have time to prepare remarks. Audience members filled the space by asking him an array of questions from football talk to favorite foods.
To date, the dinner has raised nearly $1.3 million to advance breast cancer research, care, and early detection education at University of Colorado Hospital. Proceeds from Men for the Cure have been used to purchase medical equipment such as an Atec Vacuum Assisted biopsy machine, a digital specimen radiography system, and a stereotactic biopsy table; support a nurse navigator who provides hands-on personal care, guidance and support for the many patients and families receiving care at the Cancer Center; fund breast cancer research led by Virgina Borges, MD; and launch a mobile mammography van initiative to improve access to screenings and aid with early detection for women throughout the Denver-metro area.
Four men purchased award-winning travel and once-in-a-lifetime sport auction items. One man left with a Lexis. Everyone ate delicious tenderloin. Not a bad end to a night with the guys.
- A hard-working trio for the Cure: Ed Greene, left, Sharon Magness Blake, Ernie Blake
- Sharon White, left, Tamra Poole, Jackie Griffin and Francesca Paglione catch up at Cure
- Brian Fleischmann and Henning Schymik smile for a photograph
- Enjoying the evening: Dick Tobin, left, David Thedinga, Scott Little, John Thedinga, George Saponas, Brandon LaSalle, Christin Rataj, David Snapp and Steve Rose
- Shawn Evans, left, Jeff Chapman and Jamie Teumer enjoy Men for the Cure
- Tim Riley, left, Cliff Spencer and Vince DeLaura toast to coming out for a good cause
- John Ikalowych and Jim Dalton take in the event
- Big smiles from Troy Lynn and event co-chair Jim Dalton
- Mike Palumbo, left, Charlie Graff and Tom Davis are proud to support the cause
- Team Cigna Healthcare: Kieth Carter, left, John Roble, Chris Dimassa and Brandon Canfield
- Danny Fitts, left, Craig Henderson, Carlos Ortega and Brian Winters out and about for a cure
- Tom List and Curt Sullan enjoy the event
- Good vibes from Bad Candy
- Team XJet: Archie VanBeek, left, Joe Valenzuela and Al Stoltz
- Brad Weber and Chris Souther catch up for the cure
- Eyeing auction items
- A prized silent auction item: a guitar signed by award-winning American country music group Rascal Flatts
- Bidding high for a good cause
- Bill Sonn and Derek Birznieks take time for a photo
- Todd Munson and Anthony DeFurio take time out from business to support a great cause
- Ryan Finch, left, Jim Fullerton, Darrell Schulte and Chris Cerveny enjoy the event
- Scott Theodore, left, Gary Wing and Ted Holmes take time out for a photo
- A nice night to enjoy a complimentary cigar
- Curtis Johnsen and Mike Crowley at Men for the Cure
- Megan Terry, left, and Erin Henninger take care of the details
- Craig Hess and Andrew Davis are proud to be a part of the Cure
- Angela Lieurance, George Feeney and Jesse Schroffel take time for a photo
- Kyle Smith, left, and Quinn Washington support the cause
- Friendly faces to greet the guests
- Delicious desserts by Epicurean Catering
- Gregg Thompson sports a pink Broncos ball cap in honor of his sister-in-law
- Richard D’Ambrosio, left, Rich Poland and Shane Stickel catch up at the Cure
- Ines Hsu Tok, Chalmers Turner and Ken Leeds are proud to be a part of the event
- Bruce Schroffel and Tom Devine catch up at the Cure
- Byron Hittle and Greg Houck take time for a photo
- John Berry, left, Sarah Ellis and Maureen Barker enjoy their night out
- Alan Genova, left, Matt Massaro and Tom Larue enjoy a drink together
- Tyler Smith, left, David Snapp and David Rowley are pleased to support a great cause
- Jamie Suss, left, Peter Schramm and Joey Schramm catch up at the Cure
- Gerry Jones and Chip Southern toast the evening
- Denver Broncos Ben Garland, left, and Zane Beadles tower over Angela Lieurance
- Sharon Magness Blake catches up with President of the Denver Broncos Joe Ellis
- Craig Walsh, left, Dennis Moore, Gregg Stone and Paul Aylmer smile for a photograph
- Taylor Carpenter, left, Megan Terry, Erin Henninger, Dani Daily Chris Comer and Nahla Williams keep everything on schedule
- Handshakes and big hellos at Men for the Cure
- Jason England gives a coffee toast to celebrate the evening
- Big smile and laughs: Bradley Joseph, left, Scott Patrick, Zane Beadles and Les Shapiro
- Bradley Joseph, left, Scott Patrick, Zane Beadles and Les Shapiro enjoy their time out
- Mike Bentien, left, Craig Bradley and Rod Tabberer have a drink for a good cause
- Sporting complimentary cigars: Matt Sandquist and Devin Masterson
- Cigars for a good cause: Matt Sandquist and Devin Masterson
- Kevin Drake and John Higgins take time for a photo
- Ben Rifkin and Terry Zinsli catch up at Men for the Cure
- Wearing the color of the evening is Vince Wilson along with Steven Gloe
- Cigars for all: Alex Ruggles and Peter Roth from The Robust Room
- Nicole Terry, left, Jeff Couroy and Sara Clausen take a moment from selling wine to smile for a photo
- Ashley Pokrzywinski, left, Elaine Priest and Amanda Cordsen are happy to volunteer for a great event
- One of the stars of the evening: a shiny, 2014 Lexis
- Big Bronco Cheerleader smiles from Brittany and Kendal
- Walker West, left, has volunteered at Men for the Cure several times. He happily shares a moment with his mom, Alissa West
- Beautifully adorned tables
- Denver Broncos Head Coach John Fox takes the stage
- Denver Broncos Head Coach John Fox answers audience questions
- Denver Broncos Head Coach John Fox shares one of many Broncos stories
- Denver Mayor Michael Hancock acknowledges the huge support for a great cause
- Denver Mayor Michael Hancock takes the stage
- A toast to a great evening
- Ernie Blake and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock take a moment for a photo
- Time to dine at Men for the Cure
- Ken Miller head to toe, literally, in pink
- Sue Roche, left, Tamra Poole, Asmut Abdallah, Elise Siragusa, Kourtney Hughes, Nahla Williams support Men for the Cure
- Tamra Poole, left, Suzanne Kwekel, Asmut Abdallah, Dani Daily, Elise Siragusa, Kourtney Hughes and Nahla Williams