Published: May 13, 2006 12:13 am            

Underwear quilt raises cancer awareness

Ever wondered whether Oklahoma celebrities wear boxers or briefs?

Members of Garfield County Oklahoma Home and Community Education (OHCE) groups are laboring on their newest quilt to raise awareness about cancer in men. Their material? Underwear.

Marlene Buck, Extension educator for Garfield County’s Oklahoma State University Extension Office, collected 40 boxers and briefs from men in the community and statewide. Each man signed the article of clothing being donated.

“After the raised eyebrows, everyone I encountered signed enthusiastically,” Buck said.

For example, Stan Clark, owner of Eskimo Joe’s, signed a limited edition pair of boxer shorts with the Joe and Buffy logo. It was donated by his mother.

“His mother gave it up for this project,” Buck said.

Then there’s a pair of boxers with Eddie Sutton’s face emblazoned on the front of one leg. Sutton is Oklahoma State University head men’s basketball coach.

“He’s been a pain to work with,” joked quilter Aletha Craig, citing problems in trying to attach the orange boxers to the quilt.

Other OSU representatives whose boxers and briefs are on display include head football coach Mike Gundy, head women’s basketball coach Kurt Budke and team mascot Pistol Pete (also known as Eric Stroud), plus Desmond Mason, former basketball standout now New Orleans-Oklahoma City Hornets player.

State representatives and senators, county commissioners, business owners, Enid Mayor Ernie Currier and former Gov. George Nigh have all signed a pair.

Buck had hoped to have apparel signed by Gov. Brad Henry and country superstar Toby Keith, but “neither materialized.”

The idea for a quilt with boxers and briefs is actually a spinoff from the bra quilt created last spring by Garfield County OHCE members.

“We’ve never patted so many crotches in our lives,” Craig said, laughing.

The men’s underwear quilt is not up for auction; however, people can purchase raffle tickets for numerous prizes beginning in June at Garfield County’s OSU Extension Office, 316 E. Oxford. Prizes range from a trip and a barbecue grill to gift certificates to health clubs and restaurants. Proceeds benefit men’s cancer awareness groups and education. Prizes will be awarded in October.

Men typically get cancer of the prostate, testicles or skin, said quilter Marcy Hurd. She added Garfield County has the highest rate of men who have skin cancer in the state.

“Men neglect these things,” Hurd said. Buck agreed.

“I’m married to a farmer. They never check,” she said.

Once it is finished, the men’s underwear quilt will be displayed at health fairs and education booths around the state and then during Garfield County Fair in September. Eventually the quilt will hang alongside the bra quilt as a testament to cancer awareness regarding men and women.