Area firefighters 'think pink' for worthy cause

Yuma-area firefighters are joining others from around the state and country by wearing pink T-shirts to promote breast cancer awareness.

"We want to show our support to the ladies in our communities who are fighting this battle," said Robby Rodriguez, spokesman for the Somerton/Cocopah Fire Department. "Everything has been so positive."

While some fire departments will be wearing pink T-shirts for a day or even a week, Rodriguez said the firefighters with the SCFD plan to wear their shirts for the entire month.

Rodriguez said the Yuma, San Luis and Yuma Proving Ground fire departments are also participating in the promotion.

"They will all be wearing pink T-shirts also, I just don't know they have it scheduled," Rodriguez said.

The SCFD started wearing the pink shirts Thursday and had them on when they responded to a call along with firefighters from the Marine Corps Air Station, who are used to seeing the Somerton firefighters in their traditional navy blue duty shirts.

"They didn't know, so they had to take a second look. It's definitely something different," Rodriguez said, laughing. "They may even try to participate this year, or if not, next year."

Rodriguez said the firefighters hope constantly being seen in the pink shirts will also serve as a reminder for women to get checked for breast cancer.

"We want it to serve as a reminder that early detection saves lives," Rodriguez added. "Hopefully it will also remind women to go get checked."

Not only are the Somerton firefighters wearing the pink shirts, so is every employee in the Public Safety Building. The officers in the SCFD are also wearing pink lapel ribbons on their uniforms.

For Rodriguez, the fight against breast cancer hits close to home, with an aunt and two friends suffering from the deadly disease.

While it won't happen this year, Rodriguez said the ultimate goal of the promotion is to get every fire department in the county and surrounding area to wear the pink T-shirts for the entire month of October.

"I don't think that is a tall order,"  Rodriguez said.  

October has been designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to statistics from the American Cancer Society, 1.3 million women are diagnosed annually with the disease.

Each year the month is set aside to celebrate the women who have fought through and overcome breast cancer, a disease that is being estimated to claim the lives of 40,170 women in 2009.

Rodriguez said the ultimate goal of the promotion - wearing the pink T-shirts for the entire month - is for this to become a statewide effort.

"We want to set an example in Yuma County. Whether you are a firefighter from Winterhaven to Tacna, to San Luis, we would like see everyone wearing pink for the entire month."

Rodriguez said he will be talking to the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona sometime this year in an attempt to make that goal become a reality next year.