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Mascot 'Chemo Bear' Becoming National Facebook Phenomenon
Published: Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The mascot of the Cancer Institute at The University of Tennessee Medical Center is utilizing technology and his soft, cuddly charm to make a strong statement against cancer. Chemo Bear’s statement is in conjunction with his mission of raising awareness of the importance of cancer prevention and early detection as well as the OUTLIVE, Tennessee Fights to Beat Cancer, program launched by University of Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl. Chemo Bear, the stuffed animal that has traveled the world as the mascot of the chemotherapy room at UT Medical Center’s Cancer Institute, is making big waves through his new page on Facebook.
The page launched during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend. By the time most people went back to work Tuesday morning, Chemo Bear already had more than 700 friends nationwide on the popular social networking website. As the excitement continues to rise, so does the number of people becoming Facebook friends with the snuggly teddy bear. Those friends anticipate that Chemo Bear’s friend list will go global in the coming days. On his page, Chemo Bear lets friends and visitors know about the key messages of the OUTLIVE program, which include the life-saving potential of early detection screenings and cancer prevention efforts.
“The OUTLIVE program is a great way for everyone to support cancer screenings and education at UT Medical Center while honoring a great Vol – Chris Lofton,” coach Pearl said. “Our team is excited about the opportunity to help such a great cause that has impacted us on a personal level.”
Chris Lofton, the stand out former player for coach Pearl and the Tennessee Volunteers, is one of the inspirations for OUTLIVE. After completing the 2007-2008 season, Lofton announced that he had battled testicular cancer. The OUTLIVE program, which includes plans for all fans to wear their white OUTLIVE t-shirts and create a “white-out” during the January 31 nationally televised Florida at Tennessee basketball game, launched in early January during a Bruce Pearl news conference. Pearl, who has a passion for raising awareness and funds for cancer prevention and early detection, quickly added Chemo Bear as one of his Facebook friends. The issue is close to Pearl, because in addition to Lofton’s cancer diagnosis, family members of the coach have battled cancer and the father of current Tennessee player Tyler Smith lost his battle with cancer last year.
The additional support from Chemo Bear on Facebook is expected to open the awareness and fundraising efforts associated with the OUTLIVE program to a new audience.
“The statement Chemo Bear and his friends are making in the fight against cancer and the importance of cancer prevention and early detection screenings is truly amazing,” said Jim Ragonese, of the Public Relations Office at UT Medical Center. “Since Chemo Bear has a little trouble typing, he asked me to help him set up his Facebook page. Before he left the office that night, Chemo Bear sent requests to just three people to be his friends on Facebook. Apparently, Chemo Bear is quite popular, as more and more people saw him on Facebook and began adding him as a friend. Chemo Bear would like for people all over the globe to request him as a friend, so everyone can make a huge worldwide statement against cancer and in support of the OUTLIVE program.”
OUTLIVE t-shirts are available for purchase through Feb. 3. T-shirts are available at utmedicalcenter.org, www.utsports.com (click on the OUTLIVE link) or in person at either Tennessee Traditions location (Turkey Creek or at the Stokely Athletic Center on the UT Campus). Shirts also will be sold at UT men’s basketball home games during January and at the UT Medical Center gift shop. Cost of a t-shirt is $15 and will be available for sale until Feb. 3. For online orders, add $8 total for shipping, regardless of how many shirts you purchase. For more information about OUTLIVE or to donate, call the UT Medical Center Office of Development at 865.305.6611.