Ohio firefighters raise $25,000 for fight against breast cancer

By Erica Harrah
Dayton Daily News

HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio — The Huber Heights Fire Division has made a bold statement in the fight against breast cancer by wrapping an entire fire engine in pink.

"The pink engine can be seen from several blocks away while driving down the street. The engine sends a strong message to our community that we are 'fighting the battle in pink' and encourages others to join in with our efforts," said Christopher Williams, a Huber Heights firefighter and paramedic.

Williams, who spearheaded the effort to make the pink fire engine a reality, said that in 2011 the fire division wore pink duty shirts in October and raised more than $5,000 in public T-shirt sales.

"The first year the Huber Heights Fire Division went pink, I felt the impact and the happiness this color brought to our local cancer community," Williams said. "The stories that were told by local breast cancer survivors and family members of loved ones lost to this disease inspired me to continue my efforts to raise even more money for the next year. I felt it was my duty to take the campaign to the highest level possible for October 2012."

More than 60 local businesses and individuals have pledged funds to the department's efforts. The amount raised so far is $25,000.

Eighty percent of the funds raised will go to the Cancer Support Community of Western Ohio, located in Kettering. Funds will be used to run its first salon, which will provide free wigs to local cancer patients who have lost their hair while going through treatment. The additional 20 percent will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

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