Photo by Sean Meyer/London Community News
London firefighters will be dressing in pink throughout the month of October in support of breast cancer awareness and the CIBC Run for Cure, set for Victoria Park on Oct. 2. Run for the Cure co-marketing and communications coordinators Marnie Fallowfield (back left) and Sarah Baldwin joined with (from left) firefighter Jeff Brewster, Fire Chief John Kobarda and firefighter Jeff Montgomery in kicking off the promotion on Friday (Sept. 22).
A couple years ago the mother of London firefighter Jeff Brewster was diagnosed with breast cancer.
To show support for their colleague, the members of No. 1 Fire Hall (recently renamed the London Fire Department Memorial Headquarters) decided to change up their usual uniform colour by switching to pink shirts.
This year, the gesture has been picked up across the department, as London firefighters will be dressing in pink shirts throughout October, which also happens to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
London fire fighter Jeff Montgomery organized the show of support, which he said was done for several reasons.
“We wanted to show support for Jeff (Brewster), raise some money and also raise some awareness about breast cancer,” Montgomery said. “Many of us have experienced breast cancer in one way or another, so why not do something to support Jeff and make a difference?”
This year’s promotion has already seen over 200 pink shirts sold across the London Fire Department, including members of the suppression teams, administration and communications.
The pink shirts will do more than make the firefighters stand out in a crowd, as $5 from every sale (along with a donation by the manufacturer for each shirt sold) will be donated to the upcoming CIBC Run for the Cure. The London run takes place on Sunday, Oct. 2, from Victoria Park.
“We were originally doing this just at No. 1 Fire Hall, but the response was really amazing,” Montgomery said. “We had people saying, ‘Where can I get mine?’ and ‘What can I do to help?’ So we asked for approval to go across the department this year. And the response has been great again.”
As the person who gave the OK for the department-wide endeavour, London Fire Chief John Kobarda said he was impressed with the idea the first time he heard it.
“I thought it was phenomenal. We get involved (in the community) in a lot of ways and as we are so visible, I thought this was one way to really make an impact,” Kobarda said. “My own mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, so it really resonates with me personally. I think it is great the guys took the initiative. It really catches the eye. And I’d never bought a pink shirt before.”
As the original reason for the promotion was to support Brewster and his mom, it is no surprise how moved he was by the support.
“I was absolutely surprise. It means a lot more, personally of course, it was a really great gesture,” Brewster said. “But then again, I can’t say I’m surprised by the generosity of these people. And I have to say, I think we look really good in pink.”
Sarah Baldwin, Run for the Cure’s co-marketing and communication coordinator, agreed with Brewster’s fashion choice and was quick to support the department’s efforts.
“I thought it was so wonderful that the London fire fighters would choose to get involved this way,” Baldwin said. “But I wasn’t shocked either. The London Fire Department has been involved in the fight against breast cancer for years. This is just another way of them stepping up and making a difference.”
Marnie Fallowfield, Baldwin’s partner as co-marketing and communications coordinator, said the department’s efforts reflect the kind of people they are. “I think this shows how close knit they are. They wanted to do something to support one of their own, but then ended up helping a whole community.”
The pink shirts will be part of the uniform of the day in October, but Montgomery said that isn’t where the contributions of the department end.
“We are supporting Jeff (Brewster), there is another fire fighter who has been involved in doing the run, so we wanted to support what is a truly great event,” Montgomery said. “It’s a great cause and we all know that it will take money to find that cure. So we are proud to be a part of that effort.”
For more information on the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation visit www.cbcf.org. For details about the London run visit http://runforthecurelondon.wordpress.com, on Facebook (Run for the Cure London), or on Twitter, @Run4CureLondon.
