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By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: October 22, 2008

 UNIVERSITY AREA - In a first-of-its-kind show of compassion, participants willingly surrendered their manliness for the sake of walking a mile in women's shoes.

A cluster of University Community Hospital male executives and gentlemen supporters throughout the community took to the streets Saturday morning bedecked in dazzling dyed and decorative footwear. Some pairs were backless, others were strappy, and a few had pointed closed toes.

But what especially set them apart from the men's everyday shoes - and set off a flurry of stares and belly laughs - was they had an array of heel heights, from 2-inch pumps to 3-inch platforms to 4- and 5-inch stilettos.

The logic behind the men's high-heel mania was to raise money to help women without insurance pay for mammograms as they strutted down Fletcher Avenue and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard during the hospital-sponsored Heroes 'N Heels, the first of what organizers hope will be an annual affair.

Each fellow set a goal to collect pledges for his participation in the event which, unlike a typical foot race to the finish, was more of a test of endurance.

"They just have to try to finish a manly mile. The more important thing is that every $100 they raise allows one local woman to get a free screening," said Theresa Winsey, head of UCH's recently opened Breast Care Center, who noted that by the middle of last week the pledges were at more than $10,000.
Winsey said the center receives four or five calls a week from women who need but cannot afford mammogram screenings meant to detect breast cancer. She is thrilled the money will be able to help these women and others, some of whom she said have never had screenings and are at older stages in their lives when they are more at risk for the disease.

"With our economy the way it is and people being laid off their jobs, it's a real concern," Winsey said. "I couldn't be prouder that these men stepped forward and raised the money."

Larry Archbell, the hospital's chief executive officer, who chose to don a pair of bright pink, 3-inch spiked heels, was among them.

"I'm doing it to raise awareness for breast cancer and because it's the right thing to do for the community," Archbell said. "We are a community-based hospital, and we want to help those who can't afford mammograms."

Kelly Rogers, Reeves Import Cars general manager, said his participation in the event was his way of giving back to a hospital that serves the community.

"This is our neighborhood hospital, and I consider it a privilege to have it in our community," said Rogers, outfitted in a pair of white platform heels his daughters dazzled with colorful designs and glitter. "I'm also doing it to help the ladies out there struggling with health care coverage. It may even save a life at the end of the day."
Winsey also is grateful to the women on the UCH Women's Community Advisory Committee, who organized the event in just six weeks.

"A lot of the women are married to prominent men, but they are truly concerned about these women. Taking time out of their busy days says a lot about the type of people they are," Winsey said.

Lorna Miller, the executive director of the University Community Health Foundation, concurred.

"The energy of this group is just incredible," Miller said. "They were undaunted by the challenge. They just took it and ran with it."

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849.

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