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.

Tags: BGFD, Buffalo Grove, cancer, Pink Heals Tour