Hot Pink Fire Trucks Make Stop in Downers Grove for 'Pink Heals Tour'

A parade of pink fire trucks will roll into Downers Grove on Thursday to honor women who have been impacted by cancer.

, 3815 Highland Ave., and Downers Grove Professional Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 3234 will host the Guardians of the Ribbon—the national Pink Heals Tour—from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the hospital's emergency department.

The Pink Heals Tour and "Cares Enough to Wear Pink" program were founded in 2007 by retired Arizona firefighter Dave Graybill as a way to help women battling cancer. Today, dozens of pink fire trucks and police cars tour the country to show their support for women and help raise money for community organizations.

During the event Thursday, community members are invited to take photos with the pink trucks, and cancer survivors are encouraged to sign one with a message of inspiration, support and hope.

Downers Grove firefighters will be selling T-shirts to raise money for the recently opened Wig Boutique in the Advocate Good Samaritan Cancer Care Center.

Downers Grove Mayor Martin Tully read a proclamation for the Pink Heals Tour during the village council meeting Tuesday night, declaring Aug. 23 as "Cares Enough to Wear Pink Day."

Joel Mains, a and cancer activist, has been involved with the Pink Heals Tour for the past two years. He told the village council he is excited to finally have the trucks visit Downers Grove.

"It was the coolest thing I've ever done in my life, and I'd still say that today," Mains said of Pink Heals Tour.

Mains said he is often reduced to tears at events as he witnesses the outpouring of love and support for women with cancer.

"I challenge any of you to walk around the vehicles and not be moved by some of the things written on there," he said. "... Cancer is something that has affected all of us."

The pink trucks will travel 16,000 miles this summer to communities around the United States. They are visiting several towns in Illinois this week, including Joliet, Naperville and Aurora.

For more information about the Pink Heals Tour, visit www.pinkfiretrucks.org.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

There are plenty of ways to keep up on news:

• Sign up for our daily email newsletter

• Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take.