Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - To help celebrate the North Florida Pink Heals Initiative events, The Guardians of the Ribbon, a fleet of pink fire trucks that tour America in support of the Pink Heals Tour, will be in Gainesville on Wednesday October 12, 2011.  The North Florida Pink Heals Initiative “Celebration of Women” will include live entertainment, informational booths, guest speakers, and the pink fire trucks.  Pink Heals items will be available for purchase, and donations will be accepted.  The events will be held on the north lawn of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers throughout North Central Florida have joined the North Florida Pink Heals Initiative.  The Initiative is part of a national event to raise awareness and funding to support women suffering from any form of cancer.  One hundred percent of the money raised is donated to the Southeastern Healthcare Foundation, a local foundation to help women in North Florida obtain cancer treatment.  Firefighters, paramedics, and police officers will be wearing pink uniforms on October 25 thru 27, 2011, to show their support for women with cancer. 

Members of the initiative include The Fire Rescue Professionals of Alachua County L3852, Gainesville Professional Firefighters L2157, Alachua County Fire Rescue, and Gainesville Fire Rescue; High Springs, Lacrosse and Newberry Fire Departments, EMS agencies from Union, Bradford and Gilchrist counties, the Bradford County EMS Association L4315, and the University of Florida Police Department.  Many local businesses and healthcare providers have also joined the movement by becoming community partners.

"Our local Firefighters, Paramedics, and Police officers have come together wearing pink uniform shirts, to show our support for the women in our lives who are battling cancer," said Kevin Rulapaugh, Alachua County Pink Heals Coordinator, “We believe we can help cure cancer by simply wearing pink, because 'Pink Heals'."

Make a tax-deductible Pink Heals donation through our secure website.

View the Alachua County Pink Heals Initiative Facebook group.

For more information, go to the Fire Professionals of Alachua County website, or contact Kevin Rulapaugh at 352-658-3852 or PinkHeals@local3852.com.