Posts Tagged cancer

Fund Raiser to Help a Firefighter Battle Cancer

Oct 13

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department News, Fire Service News | 1 Comment

This message comes from Tim Jones, Deputy Chief of the Prospect Heights Fire Department:

We write this note in the hopes that you can help us support one of our brothers. One of our firefighters has recently been diagnosed with cancer, something that is a challenge for any family. What makes this situation more serious, is that his son also has a serious ongoing medical condition that has advanced in the last month causing him to lose the vision in his left eye. His son’s condition has meant visits to MAYO clinic, specialists and countless doctors, all while he battles his own cancer.

Can you please post this flyer in as many places as possible? We hope to get the word out as we support our brother through this challenge.

The flyer is downloadable for those who can post it it their department.

Tags: cancer, fundraiser, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg

Pink Heals Tour with Buffalo Grove Fire Department

Sep 2

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department News, Fire Service News | Comments off

The Pink Heals Tour 2010 has visited Rockford, the IAFC trade show in Chicago, Matteson, Naperville, and now Buffalo Grove during it’s time in Illinois. Last night in Buffalo Grove, the three pink fire engines were joined by a Mount Prospect police car with pink graphics and the Buffalo Grove IAFF Honor Guard. The three trucks (two EONE Hush engines and a Spartan FMC Sentinel) served in Bangor, ME; Tyler, TX; and Henry, Va.

On the Pink Heals Tour Facebook page, they describe themselves as:

We are the “Cares Enough to Wear Pink”: Guardians of the Ribbon”
An organization that drives PINK Fire Trucks across the United States to support women in their fight against cancer and inspire men to get involved. It was started in Phoenix, Arizona by firefighter Dave Graybill. We are making our way across the country and it is our job to also spread the word worldwide. Guardians of The Ribbons is a group of firefighters, police officers and leaders in the community; our purpose is raising awareness for the fight against cancer and inspire men to support the women of their community. On October 25, 26 and 27 we would like to have the public safety, local leaders and citizens of the community wear something pink to show support for those women battling cancer. It is in our nature to fight for those who have lost the ability to fight for themselves and we are asking the public for support. It will not only bring us together, but also give those who are battling this disease an overwhelming feeling of HOPE.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD!!
www.pinkfiretrucks.org
PINK HEALS
Men supporting women!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG-CMnTOaLo

Firefighter Steve Rusin, the Buffalo Grove Fire Department representative working with the Pink Heals Tour, has been selling pink and blue t-shirts to raise money for the Pink Heals Tour.

These three pink fire trucks that are touring the country made several stops in Illiois. Larry Shapiro photo

Each truck is covered with messages from people whose lives have been impacted by cancer. Larry Shapiro photo

Another message is added to 'Karen' the FMC Sentinel pumper. Larry Shapiro photo

Pink Heals Tour 2010 Buffalo Grove Fire Department IAFF Honor Guard

The Buffalo Grove Fire Department IAFF Honor Guard. Larry Shapiro photo

The Buffalo Grove Fire Department IAFF Honor Guard escorted the trucks to the baseball game and exhibition event. Larry Shapiro photo

The trucks along with Buffalo Grove firefighters and a Mount Prospect police car make their way to the baseball field. Larry Shapiro photo

Families greet the arrival of the Pink Heals Tour fire trucks. Larry Shapiro photo

A photo gallery with complete coverage can be seen HERE.

Tags: Bangor ME, BGFD, Buffalo Grove, cancer, EONE, FMC, Henry VA, Honor Guard, Hush, IAFC, Matteson, Naperville, Pink Heals Tour, Rockford, Rusin, Sentinel, Tyler TX

Pink Fire Trucks Come to Buffalo Grove

Sep 1

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department News | Comments off

From today’s Daily Herald:

Charity event, pink fire trucks a prelude to Buffalo Grove days

Buffalo Grove Days traditionally kicks off with a charity softball game involving village officials and local volunteers on the Wednesday before Labor Day.

This year, the game, which is sponsored by the Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, will take place, as it usually does, at 6:30 p.m. today at Emmerich Park, at Lake-Cook Road and Raupp Boulevard.

What’s new is that four pink fire trucks will be parked near the field.

The four trucks are part of the Pink Heals Tour, during which firefighters from across the country drive a fleet of pink fire engines across the United States to raise cancer awareness, particularly cancer affecting women. The trucks began traveling in mid-August and will continue their journey until the end of October. One of the drivers will be Buffalo Grove Firefighter Steve Rusin, who, driving on his own time, will pilot one of the trucks from Florida through Texas.

Buffalo Grove Trustee and cancer survivor DeAnn Glover, liaison to the committee in charge of Buffalo Grove Days, said, “Kids can climb on them, and everybody can sign and leave a message of hope and honor for those who are fighting the battle or those who have lost the fight.”

Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Terry Vavra said he has been in contact with Dave Graybill, the Arizona firefighter who spearheaded the effort. “The reason why he started this is that as men we need to respond to the people that mean the most to us, our families and particularly our mothers, because if you ever watched a sports player, he doesn’t say, ‘Hi, Dad.’ He says, ‘Hi, Mom.'”

Vavra said Graybill is also starting a blue fire truck program to raise awareness of cancer in men.

The Buffalo Grove Fire Department sold just less than 600 Pink Heals shirts this year, up from a little less than 300 last year.

Steve Rusin at the show wearing the pink turnout gear which is associated with the Pink Heals Tour. Larry Shapiro photo

Last week, one of the pink trucks was at the IAFC trade show at McCormick Place. Buffalo Grove Firefighter Steve Rusin was on hand at the booth along with Dave Graybill.

One of the trucks was at the trade show last week in CHicago. Larry SHapiro photo

Betty Ganschow, Dave Graybill, and Steve Rusin at the trade show. Larry Shapiro photo

Tags: BGFD, Buffalo Grove, cancer, Graybill, Pink Heals Tour, Rusin, Shapiro, Vavra

Buffalo Grove to Sponsor Breast Cancer Awareness Tour

Aug 4

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department News, Fire Service News | Comments off

The following article from today’s Daily Herald describes the efforts of Buffalo Grove firefighter Steve Rusin and the entire department with their efforts in support of promoting breast cancer awareness and the Pink Heals Tour.

A woman signs one of the pink fire trucks. Daily Herald photo

Buffalo Grove firefighters go pink in fight against cancer

Red is the color associated in most minds with fire departments.

In Buffalo Grove, however, pink predominates.

That is due to the fire department’s commitment to the fight against cancer in women.

During September and October, Buffalo Grove firefighters – as well as village employees and officials – will be wearing pink shirts bearing the logo of the Pink Heals Tour, which will feature a fleet of pink fire engines touring the country to spread awareness.

In September, Buffalo Grove Firefighter/Paramedic Steve Rusin will be one of the drivers guiding the pink posse.

The 2010 version of the Pink Heals Tour kicks off on Aug. 18 and runs through Oct. 31. From Aug. 27-29, trucks will be on display at the Fire Chiefs Conference in Chicago. And at 6 p.m. on Sept. 1, Buffalo Grove residents, as well as neighbors from surrounding towns, can view four of the trucks near the corner of Lake-Cook Road and Raupp Boulevard, one-half hour before the annual Buffalo Grove Days charity softball game between the Village of Buffalo Grove and the Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce.

The tour began with an Arizona firefighter, Dave Graybill, manning a single fire truck out of Glendale, Ariz. The firefighter spread awareness by driving his truck across the country. The truck now bears 38,000 signatures from survivors and relatives and friends of survivors.

Buffalo Grove’s involvement started last year with an effort to sell 30 T-shirts to his fellow firefighters. Rusin’s expectations were greatly exceeded when the department raised $2,500 after selling more than 400 shirts.

“(Graybill) took the money after we donated it and gave it to the Wellness Place in Palatine,” Rusin said.

This year, Rusin is once again selling the shirts, which will be available on the village’s website. In addition, one can also purchase sweatshirts with a hoodie. This year Buffalo Grove Firefighter Frank Doll has designed a local version of the T-shirt with the addition of a village logo.

“They say that the fire department is a macho tough guy thing, and I think the fire service has grasped the pink T-shirt concept to support cancer awareness,” Rusin said.

At this week’s village board meeting, Fire Chief Terry Vavra praised Rusin’s efforts, as well as the sacrifice of everyone in Rusin’s family. “Everybody in his family has bought into this, enough that they have given up their dad and their husband for a week,” as Rusin drives one of the trucks through the southern part of the country.