Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – To help celebrate the Alachua County 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 Thursday, September 30, 2010.  The Alachua County Pink Heals Initiative event will include live entertainment, informational booths, and guest speakers.  Pink Heals items will be available for purchase, and donations will be accepted.  The events will be in two locations; 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Downtown Community Plaza (111 E. University Avenue), and 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Butler Plaza West next to the Ale House (3950 SW Archer Rd).  Admission is free.

Firefighters and Law Enforcement officers throughout north central Florida have joined the Alachua County 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.  All money raised are donated to the Southeastern Healthcare Foundation, a local foundation to help women obtain cancer treatment.  Firefighters, paramedics and police officers will be wearing pink uniforms on October 25 – 27, 2010, to show their support for women with cancer. 

Locally, the primary members are The Fire Rescue Professionals of Alachua L3852, Gainesville Professional Firefighters L2157, Alachua County Fire Rescue, and Gainesville Fire Rescue.  Additional members include the University of Florida Police Department, the High Springs Fire Department, the Newberry Fire Department, the LaCrosse Fire Department, the Melrose Fire Department, Gilchrist County EMS, Bradford County EMS, Putnam County Fire Rescue, Putnam County Professional Firefighters L3529, Starke Fire Department, The Professional Firefighters of Starke L3120, and Bradford County EMS Association L4315. 

“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'.”

Click here to make an online donation.

Click here to view the Alachua County Pink Heals Initiative Facebook group.

For more information click here, or contact Kevin Rulapaugh at 352-215-9712 or PinkHeals@local3852.com.