Few sights grab the public's eye like a firefighter dressed in bright pink. That's exactly what Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue firefighters hope will happen starting tomorrow when they trade in their blue duty uniforms for pink ones.
This Wednesday through Friday (October 23-25), firefighters will be wearing pink t-shirts to show support for families who have been impacted by breast cancer. TVF&R was personally impacted in 2008 when it lost one of its own to breast cancer - 36-year-old Firefighter Randilyn Dean.
In 2010 the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) adopted a resolution encouraging its affiliates to support and develop campaigns to benefit organizations dedicated to finding a cure for cancer. This is TVF&R's second year supporting the campaign.
Chris Tompkins, Secretary of Tualatin Valley Firefighters Union Local 1660, states, "The Firefighters in Pink campaign gives us a tangible way to honor the memory of our fallen sister and do what we can to raise awareness and money to fight a disease that has devastated so many families in our community."
Firefighters purchased their t-shirts through Local 1660 who will be donating 100% of the proceeds to the Providence Robert W. Franz Research Center and Breast Cancer Outreach Program, both of which have had a direct positive impact on several TVF&R members. Members of the public who would like to join TVF&R firefighters and "go pink" may purchase a pink t-shirt from Local 1660's union office (503-697-9418, 16400 SW Bryant Road, Lake Oswego, 97035), Monday-Friday, between the hours of 9 am and 3:30 pm. The cost of the shirt is $15.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, firefighters urge individuals to consider the American Cancer Society's breast cancer screening guidelines and take action:
* Clinical breast exams are recommended about every 3 years for women in their 20's and 30's and every year for women 40 and over.
* Yearly screening mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
Visit www.cancer.org to learn more about risk factors and what you can do to detect breast cancer early when it most easily treated.