The "Pink Heals Tour" and "Cares Enough to Wear Pink" programs were started in 2007, by Dave Graybill, a now retired Arizona fire fighter, to honor the women of the world and to support those battling breast cancer. Pink Fire Trucks, named after women and children who have battled cancer, travel the U.S. helping to raise awareness and supporting women's health. The pink truck and pink clad firefighters accompanying them also serve as inspiration and encouragement for those fighting the disease.

The pink truck seen at the Birmingham "Race for the Cure" was named "Cindy" in memory of Cindy Resmondo, wife of an Orange Beach fire fighter, by the Lower Alabama Chapter of the Guardians of the Ribbon which was formed in December of 2009 by the Orange Beach Professional Firefighters Association, Local 4309.

Since being put into service in 2010, "Cindy" has traveled over 45,000 miles throughout Alabama, southern Tennessee, Mississippi, and the Florida panhandle in honor and support of those who have fought and continue to fight the disease, and serves as a moving memorial to those who have lost their battle with cancer. "Cindy" travels year-round but works her hardest during the months of September, October and early November.

The Guardians that accompany "Cindy" wearing pink are firefighters, police officers, EMTs and other members of the public safety community who volunteer their own leave time from work to travel with "Cindy". Though they are away from their families and receive no pay for this service, the Guardians love every minute of the time they spend with "Cindy" sharing the Pink Heals message. While traveling with "Cindy", the Guardians often sleep in fire stations across the area, drive on donated fuel for "Cindy" and eat on meals provided by their host to ensure that the funds raised through donations and t-shirt sales at her appearances are able to directly assist as many as possible.

The names you see on the truck were either signed by a survivor (some come back year after year to change the "years survived"), by someone in memory of a loved one lost to cancer, or in honor of someone fighting the fight of their life – woman, man or child. "Cindy" is cleaned very carefully so as not to damage the names signed. The signatures placed there prior "get absorbed into the soul of Cindy" and will forever be with her, even though they are no longer visible. She has been visited by thousands since her inception. For every signature placed on her, a Guardian of the Pink Heals movement was there to offer support and love as the name was signed.

The Guardians who attend the events with "Cindy" say it is an honor to be able to meet so many people touched by the truck attending that day’s event. They describe it as a humbling experience whenever someone sees the truck and ask "why the pink fire truck?", then hears the story behind her and asks if they, too, can sign in honor or memory of a loved one or for themselves. "Cindy" reinforces that cancer affects everyone, everywhere, in some form or fashion.

*Asher Michon will be speaking at the 2013 All In, All Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Event on behalf of "Cindy" and the Pink Heals program.


Last Updated: October 5, 2016