COURTLAND—Rickey Hatfield has no reservations about wearing a pink evening gown in public.

By doing so he hopes to help his friend — 28-year-old Courtland cancer victim Alnee Bailey.

“It’s sad that something like this happened to her,” Hatfield said. “I wish there was something else we could do.”

The 38-year-old emergency medical technician for Courtland Volunteer Rescue Squad, Hatfield will join 13 additional local male firefighters and ambulance workers for the womanless beauty pageant at 7 p.m. Friday, July 29, at Paul D. Camp Community College’s Regional Workforce Development Center.

Contestants in the Miss Mid-Summer Hotty Pageant will model sportswear and formal wear, perform and be interviewed. Ticket sale proceeds will go to Bailey, who in November 2008 was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

Her life has since evolved around trips between John Hopkins Hospital in Maryland and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, surgeries, 53 radiation treatments and the lost ability to work.

A former emergency room nurse at Southampton Memorial Hospital and treasurer for Courtland Rescue, Bailey had her thyroid removed after the diagnosis.

She had a relapse six months later and underwent a 12-hour surgery to remove cancer through the lymph chain followed by 33 radiation treatments. In late 2010, the cancer spread to her lungs, a vertebrae and pelvis.

“Everything’s been treatable so far,” said her husband, Andy Bailey, vice president of Courtland Rescue who works for Sentara Medical Transport. “It just doesn’t seem like we can get ahead of it. We have to go back for repeated scans. Most times when we go back, they find a little spot here and a little spot there.”

The couple has health insurance, but not all expenses are covered.

That’s why Kevin Moore, a member of Courtland Rescue and Courtland Volunteer Fire Department, will participate in the pageant.

“Alnee is a very good friend of ours, and it deeply affects me being a childhood cancer survivor,” the 20-year-old said.

Moore will wear a purple and black evening gown and paint his fingernails purple. For his talent, he will sing “Hell on Heals” by Pistol Annie.

Others participating include Charlie Griffin and Steve Ezzell, both of Courtland Rescue; Doug Bailey, David Turner and L.T. Bryant, all of Courtland Volunteer Fire Department; Bud Cutchins with Hunterdale Volunteer Fire Department; Michael Bradshaw with Franklin Fire and Rescue and Newsoms Volunteer Fire Department; Mitch White with Sedley Volunteer Fire Department; Michael Griffin and Clif Johnson, both with Capron Volunteer Fire Department; Michael Greene with Surry Rescue Squad; and Bob Carr with Southampton County Sheriff’s Office.

Tickets are $10 and $18 for couples and must be purchased in advance at Grayson and Emma’s Garden Spot, Keeter Kuts, or from any Courtland Rescue member.

Event organizers are Missi Hatfield, Ariel Spencer, Pam Moore and Nancy Grey.

The concession stand will be open for snacks at 7 and throughout the show. Doors open at 6:45.

For more information, call 653-9221.