Getting 'stuck' for a cure

by Darren Brown, News9.com INsite team

CLAREMORE, Okla.--You've probably heard the expression "wearing your heart on your sleeve," or, to basically be transparent with your emotions.  This Saturday, you can do that literally, and maybe even help break a world record in the process.

Rich Wallace of Secret Ink Tattoo in Claremore is offering pink ribbon tattoos this weekend at his shop.  For $20, you can get the familiar breast cancer ribbon and help him break the world record for tattoos in a 24 hour period.  The current record is 577, but Wallace thinks he has a pretty good shot.

"The record really seemed far fetched at the time, but when we broke it down into hours, it was actually quite feasible to do so. Then, we just needed a cause," said Wallace.

He didn't have to look far.  Wallace's family has dealt with a disease familiar to most American families for years.   

"It's touched my life, it's touched a lot of people's lives," said Wallace.  "I had an aunt that died two years ago from breast cancer, my father died of cancer, his father and his father."

Once Wallace decided to make a run at the record, word spread quickly.  He's already gotten calls from across the region.

"We're getting a hundred calls a day minimum, just for people that want to enter--we've got people as far away as Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, all coming in for the event," Wallace said.

Cindy Evans couldn't wait for this weekend, so she got her pink ribbon last week.  Like most of those callers, she has plenty of reason to get her first tattoo. 

"My great aunt Thelma is a breast cancer survivor, and she is just such an amazing woman that, when I heard of this, I thought --I have to do this," said Evans.  "I lost my dad 9 years ago to stomach cancer--and it was devastating."

For those dealing with cancer within their families, like Evans, the disease is something that is seemingly out of their control, but they do have control over that little pink ribbon, and where it goes.

And, according to Wallace, it's one tattoo that you'll never regret.

Secret Ink Tattoo is located at 317 S .Lynn Riggs Blvd. in Claremore, OK.  (918) 341-4700  

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  For more info on news and events, check the associated links to your right.