The Men in Pink campaign raised $20,273, according to Deedie Carter, co-chair on the Relay for Life board.

“We had several Men in Pink that raised more than their $1,000 goal,” Carter said. “We had two that raised more than $3,000.”

Jimmy Copeland, director of special projects for Troy Cablevision, Inc., and Troy Weed, KW Plastics, each raised more than $3,000.

“Breast cancer is something that touches all families,” Copeland said. “It’s your family, friends or people we don’t even know. It is a blessing from God if you haven’t been touched by it.”

Copeland said after someone at his company was diagnosed with breast cancer, he saw the challenges that came to her as well as everyone around her.

“It was a real challenge to all of us to show our support in a different way,” Copeland said.

After going through that experience, Copeland said he was honored to be able to call himself a “Man in Pink.”

“This was that first time that I’ve seen men be able to participate in an open way,” Copeland said. “I think it’s a great idea. I’m proud that someone thought enough of me to ask me to participate.”

Copeland’s efforts brought in a total of $3,137 to be donated to the American Cancer Society on behalf of the Pike County Relay for Life.

In addition to announcing the total raised through the Men in Pink campaign, the Relay for Life board also announced the 2016 theme as “Paint the Town Purple.”

The goal for the 2016 Relay for Life is $110,000, and the Men in Pink campaign made a giant step toward that goal.

Relay for Life will be at 6 p.m. May 6, 2016, the Troy Sportsplex.