Texas Fire Fighters Care Enough to Wear Pink

October 5, 2009 –Fire fighters across the state of Texas are honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month in a big way. As part of the “Cares Enough to Wear Pink” campaign, which was adopted by resolution at the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters (TSAFF), fire fighters are wearing and selling pink T-shirts to benefit cancer-related charities.

“Fire fighters are taking this resolution to heart,” says TSAFF President Guy Turner. “At least 45 locals throughout state have committed to participate.”

The outpouring of community support has equally impressive. According to Turner, many IAFF members have been asked to guest on local morning talk shows to talk about the campaign, and many have already sold an impressive number of shirts.

The decision to go state-wide came after the success of a similar campaign that Tyler, TX Local 883 fire fighters conducted for the first time last year. “After Local 883 member Wes Malcolm’s wife was diagnosed with cancer, medical benefits were not enough,” says Local 883 President Tony Gumber. “We wanted to help close the financial gap.”

Local 883 1st District Vice President Steve Countryman says, “I had read a story on the IAFF web site about another local’s success with the campaign and thought it was a great idea. After presenting it to my local, the campaign took off.”

Local 883 fire fighters designed the shirt to wear during their shifts. Extra shirts were sold to benefit the Malcolm family and cancer charities. “Our first order was for 500 shirts, but they were sold out before we even received the shipment,” reports Gumber.

“When all was said and done, the local sold 3,800 shirts last year,” says IAFF 11th District Vice President Sandy McGhee. “The way the Tyler fire fighters and the entire community came together was nothing short of amazing.”

In July 2009, the TSAFF Executive Board and Local 883 proposed a resolution that resolved, “The Texas State Association of Fire Fighters recognize, support, and encourage their members to participate in “Cares Enough to Wear Pink” campaign in honor of our women who battle cancer.”

The resolution further specifies that locals will sell the shirts throughout the month of October, donating proceeds to worthy charities, such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Fire Fighters Cancer Support Network.

At least one other state association – the Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters – has passed a similar resolution. At the MSCFF state convention in August, the state association passed a resolution encouraging its members to design and wear pink T-shirts for three days in the month of October. Similar to the one passed in Texas, Missouri’s fire fighters are asked to donate any money raised by the public sale of those shirts to cancer-related charities.