CHARLES TOWN — Sean Demeule has served as the general manager at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races for about six months.

For the month of October, he has provided an outward sign of his leadership and dedication to the community, as he participates in the American Cancer Society’s Men Wear Pink campaign.

The campaign, geared toward raising funds for breast cancer research, drew Demeule’s support, because, he shared, breast cancer affects everyone.

“I am the father of a daughter, the brother to sisters and the son of a mother,” he said, adding that while breast cancer can affect both men and women, it predominantly targets females. “One in eight women have breast cancer — it’s a very real disease,” he added, saying that early detection is key, and research must continue to help battle the disease.

“Since I’m in a position to make a difference within my community, I believe I have an obligation to do so,” Demeule penned on his fundraising website. “By raising money and awareness through Men Wear Pink, I’m helping to end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone.”

Demeule has donned pink clothing every day in the month of October and will continue to do so through the final day of the month.

He shared that many team members at Hollywood Casino have joined in and wear pink each Wednesday, the day of the week decided upon for all those who wished to participate.

“We had a pink-out weekend this past week,” Demeule shared, where all team members wore pink, which helps make customers and visitors to the casino aware of what is happening with the effort to raise funds. “I’m very encouraged at how many folks are wearing pink every Wednesday. It shows they are ready and committed to making a difference.”

Funds are raised through donations, and Demeule has set his goal at $10,000 for the month. Currently, the amount raised is just over $7,000, which has come from people donating through social media and on the Men Wear Pink website. In addition, those who visit the casino can deposit their “tito,” which stands for ticket in/ticket out, at the end of the night.

Those tickets have any remaining dollars or cents the visitor cashes out and does not play in another machine. Signage throughout the casino is there to help educate those visitors and encourage their donations to the worthy cause.

Demeule said that he is such a supporter of the American Cancer Society, because that organization “is saving more lives from breast cancer than ever before. They’re helping people take steps to reduce their risk of breast cancer or find it early when it’s easier to treat.”

He also pointed out that the American Cancer Society funds groundbreaking breast cancer research, and its working to ensure access to mammograms for women who need them.

Demeule laughed, sharing that he previously owned, perhaps, two pink shirts, but since committing to this campaign, he has increased the color in his wardrobe significantly. He was quick to express appreciation to both team members, who work at the casino, as well as members of the public, who are supporting the fundraising goal.

Being a community partner is something that Hollywood Casino has always strived to do, and Demeule’s efforts show that the practice continues.

He shared that in November, the casino will support the Purple Bag Project.

“Throughout November, we will collect nonperishable food, personal care and recreational items,” he said. “In December, we will bag them up and donate them to active-duty military personnel who are deployed overseas.”

The casino will, he said, continue to support local nonprofits, including local food banks, as well.

For those who would like to donate to the Men Wear Pink campaign, visit https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR/?fr_id=108926&pg=personal&px=59958331.