Pink Glove Dance competition raises awareness for breast cancer

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Thousands of healthcare professionals, breast cancer patients, and survivors from around the country are joining in on this year's Pink Glove Dance.

Because gloves are the first point of contact between a healthcare worker and patient, Medline introduced pink exam gloves in 2009 to help get people talking openly about breast cancer. They have become a widely recognized symbol among caregivers and cancer patients worldwide in support of breast cancer awareness.

Competing teams in the Pink Glove Dance create a 90-second dance video featuring pink gloved dancers. The nine winning teams are chosen through online voting. Medline then makes a donation in the team's name to a breast cancer charity.

Three Illinois-based healthcare organizations are participating in the competition this year: Swedish American Health Systems, Mercy Hospital & Medical Center and Meadows Home.

You can watch their videos and vote online here.

Voting for the Pink Glove Dance ends on Sept. 23. Winning videos will be announced on Oct. 1.

Sue MacInnes, co-creator of the Pink Glove Dance, joined ABC 7 Eyewitness News live to talk about the importance of their fundraising effort.