Pink Fire Trucks Bring Messages of Hope, Inspiration to Downers Grove

A parade of pink fire trucks rolled into Downers Grove on Thursday to celebrate women and raise money for the 

, 3815 Highland Ave., and Downers Grove Professional Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 3234  hosted the Guardians of the Ribbon—the national Pink Heals Tour—from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the hospital's emergency department.

The Pink Heals Tour and "Cares Enough to Wear Pink" program were founded in 2007 by retired Arizona firefighter Dave Graybill as a way to help women battling cancer. Today, dozens of pink fire trucks and police cars tour the country to show their support for women and help raise money for community organizations.

During the event Thursday, community members took photos with the pink trucks, and cancer survivors signed messages of of inspiration, support and hope.

Downers Grove firefighters also sold T-shirts to raise money for the recently opened Wig Boutique in the Advocate Good Samaritan Cancer Care Center.

Joel Mains, a and cancer activist, has been involved with the Pink Heals Tour for the past two years. 

"It was the coolest thing I've ever done in my life, and I'd still say that today," Mains said of Pink Heals Tour.

Mains said he is often reduced to tears at events as he witnesses the outpouring of love and support for women with cancer.

"I challenge any of you to walk around the vehicles and not be moved by some of the things written on there," he said. "... Cancer is something that has affected all of us."

The pink trucks will travel 16,000 miles this summer to communities around the United States. They are visiting several towns in Illinois this week, including Joliet, Naperville and Aurora.

For more information about the Pink Heals Tour, visit www.pinkfiretrucks.org.

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