FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Brad Ruhmann, cell: (863) 581-5893Polk County Fire Rescue Public Information Officer

Pink Heals Tour Comes to Polk County

Polk County, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2014) – The Pink Heals Tour of Pink Firefighting Apparatus that raise

awareness for cancers and other diseases that affect women, will be making a stop in Polk County at

Fort Blount Park in Bartow Nov. 6.

Polk County Firefighters will fire up the grill for this barbecue lunch event. Hamburger, hot dog and

pulled pork sandwich lunches will be available for a $5 to $6 donation to the Polk County Firefighters

Benevolent Fund. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In conjunction with the tour, on Nov. 4, 5 and 6, Polk County Fire Rescue members make breast cancer

awareness a local initiative.

Instead of their patriotic blend of red, white and blue uniforms, pink shirts become the uniform of the

day. United behind this cause, the symbolism of the color pink will prevail above rank, roles and

affiliations. Over the three-day period, visibility and solidarity for the cause will complement PCFR’s

mission priorities.

“Breast cancer effects so many of our lives,” said Polk County Fire Rescue Chief David Cash. “We count it

a privilege to take part in an initiative that honors all women and recognizes the need to come together

and help with the fight against cancer, reminding future generations that people who are not affected

by an illness can stand with those who are.”

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death

among women in the United States. Every woman is at risk for breast cancer even if she has no family

history of the disease.

The Pink Heals Tour was started back in 2007 with one fire truck painted pink, driven by one man, Dave

Graybill. He used it to raise awareness and money in his community for women’s diseases. Now it has

grown to a fleet of all types of apparatus and volunteers that drive them with their pink bunker gear.

Those personally affected by any type of cancer or disease is welcome to sign their name on the truck.

It is all nonprofit and the money raised at each tour stop stays in that community.

Polk County Fire Rescue, the Polk County Firefighters Benevolent Fund and Polk County Professional

Firefighters Local 3531 are honored to have the tour stop in Bartow. Please come join us in the park for

lunch and to see this mobile tribute.

Information about the Pink Heals Tour can be found at www.pinkhealstour.com. For more information

on Polk County Fire Rescue visit, www.polkfire.net.

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Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) is a division of the Board of County Commissioners. PCFR provides fire, emergency medical and emergency management services to residents in a 2000 square mile area, as well as provides mutual aid to surrounding counties. PCFR has more than 525 full time employees throughout 45 stations, which run more than 75,000 calls each year.