The Prince Albert Firefighters Charity is bringing back its pink fire truck for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Firefighter Dave MacAuley said other departments were decorating a truck pink for the month of October, so they decided to follow suit starting last year.
“Just the success of it and the positive comments and everything we got back from the community, we decided this is something that we wanted to do again this year and hopefully continue to do it every year,” he said.
The initiative raised $1,500 for breast cancer research in 2018.
MarkIt Signs decorated the truck, which sports a breast cancer ribbon, the Firefighters Charity’s logo, the Raiders’ logo and reads ‘fight like a girl’ and ‘supporting breast cancer research.’
You can sign the truck by donating five dollars, which also enters your name into a draw for a custom Raiders jersey signed by the entire team.
The truck will be parked outside of the Art Hauser Centre for the Raiders home games on Oct. 4, 5, 8, 11 and 12.
“Even just driving it back from MarkIt, everybody was looking at it,” said MacAuley.
“It’s supposed to draw attention, that’s exactly what it’s supposed to do, so we encourage people if you see it and we’re out and about and we’re not busy on a call, absolutely come and see it.”
MacAuley said the public is also encouraged to come to the fire hall, located at 76 15 St. E, to see the fire truck. He said to call ahead of time to make sure the truck isn’t being used for a call.
“We want people from the community to come and engage,” emphasized MacAuley.
The firefighters also wear T-shirts that show the pink ribbon.
Although this is only the charity’s second year using a pink firetruck, members have been raising awareness for breast cancer for years. MacAuley said it’s something the department’s been passionate about since he started working there four years ago.
“Whether it’s a friend, a relative, everybody in the department seems to know somebody that’s either been directly or indirectly affected by breast cancer. It’s one of those things that everybody kind of holds near and dear to their hearts.”
MacAuley said the “perfect opportunity” to see the pink fire truck is at their Fire Prevention Open House on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will have kids activities such as a bouncy castle, face painting and an obstacle course, station tours, door prizes and a barbecue. All proceeds from the barbecue go to the Firefighters Charity.
MacAuley said last year, the pink truck sparked a lot of special moments when breast cancer survivors came to the hall to see it.
“Just seeing how much it meant to them and how important it was for them, the smiles on their face, it meant so much for all of us,” he said.
“We’re very proud to do it and show those people and show everybody in the community that we’re there to fight with them.”
