Behind the Badge
All things are going pink this month in the name of cancer awareness, including one of the Fullerton Fire Department’s fire engines.
The Fullerton Firefighters’ Association is hosting its fourth annual PINKtober event, “Ignite the Fight Against Cancer,” to raise awareness and funds to support cancer research.
The Fullerton Fire Fighters Association shoot pink confetti in the air as they show their support for Cancer Awareness during the Founders Day Parade.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Members of the EBELL club paid to have one of the rigs custom-wrapped in a pink, breast cancer-themed design, while Sign Pros offered the service at a reduced cost.
The stand-out fire engine is the only of its kind in Orange County.
Those who have beaten cancer, are still in the fight or have lost someone they loved to the disease are invited to come and sign the rig, leave messages of hope or share memories.
“It’s a rolling tribute to those who have been successful in fighting cancer and those who may have been lost,” said Fullerton Fire Capt. Pete Gray. “Almost everyone knows someone who has battled cancer.”
While pink is the official color of breast cancer awareness, the firefighters’ effort supports those battling all types of cancer.
Every year, they pick a member of the community and raise money in that resident’s name, which is later donated to a cancer charity of the resident’s choice.
Since PINKtober started four years ago, the FFA has raised more than $54,000 and honored those fighting breast cancer, lung cancer and leukemia, Gray said.
“It’s nice to get so close to these people and get to really know them during the month,” he said. “We really try to maintain a relationship. Since they’re in the community, it’s neat to see them at different events and keep in touch.”
This year the FFA is sponsoring 15-year-old Brynn Coatney, who is battling colon cancer.
Brynn, daughter of Fullerton Fire Capt. Brandon Coatney, was diagnosed in February 2014 with angiomatoid hystiocytoma, a soft tissue cancer, and beat it after two surgeries.
But in May, doctors found an adenoma in her transverse colon, which she continues to fight today.
Brynn chose Rady’s Children’s Hospital of San Diego, where she received treatment, to be this year’s benefactor of the fundraiser, Gray said.
Brynn Coatney, 15, is this year’s sponsored cancer fighter for the Fullerton Firefighters’ Association annual PINKtober campaign. Photo courtesy the FFA.
The FFA has several events planned throughout the month to raise money, including a pub crawl, “Crawl for the Cure,” on Oct. 25 and weekly appearances on Thursdays at the Fullerton farmer’s market.
For more information or to purchase “Ignite the Fight Against Cancer” gear, visit Fullerton Fire Station No. 5 or shop online at www.fullertonfirefighters.org and ffdpinkproject.org.
Find the truck:
Saturday, Oct. 10: From noon to 6 p.m. the rig will be at the Rocktober Fest in Fullerton Downtown Plaza.
Sunday, Oct. 11: Find the pink firetruck at the Slidebar from 5 to 9 p.m.
Oct. 16: The rig will make an appearance during a pep rally at Troy High School and will also be at the football game that night at Fullerton Stadium.
Oct. 21: Firefighters will be at the Comedy Show for Autism from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Fullerton Fox Theater.
Oct. 23: The fire engine will make an appearance at the Fullerton High School football game at Fullerton Stadium.
Oct. 24: From 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the firetruck will be on display at the Fullerton Police Department’s Open House, 237 W. Commonwealth Ave.
Photo courtesy the FFA.
