Marion County Fire Rescue has added a pink fire truck to its fleet in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
During the Marion County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, MCFR unveiled their pink fire truck, which will be in service for the entire month of October at the Friendship Fire Station #21 located at On Top of the World.
“This E-One fire truck came from our spare fleet of apparatus,” stated MCFR in a social media post.
Since October 2009, the Professional Firefighters of Marion County, Marion County Firefighter’s Benevolence Fund, and MCFR have sold pink T-shirts in support of Breast Cancer Awareness, with the proceeds from these sales benefiting the nonprofit organization Michelle-O-Gram.
According to MCFR, Michelle-O-Gram was established following the untimely death of Michelle Blauser Standridge, who passed away at the young age of 36 following a three-year battle with cancer. Michelle was survived by her husband, then-MCFR Lieutenant Craig Standridge, and her two sons.
While fighting cancer, Michelle “was always thinking of others and reminding them to get their mammograms,” stated MCFR.
Michelle-O-Gram was created in 2009 as a way to continue Michelle’s legacy. Through donations, as well as fundraisers and a partnership with local radiology and imaging centers, Michelle-O-Gram helps women without insurance, or in financial crisis, obtain mammography testing, according to the nonprofit’s website.
Since 2009, Michelle-O-Gram has served over 900 women and men in Marion County and surrounding counties.
The Marion County Firefighter’s Benevolence Fund is currently selling 2024 Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirts online for $15, and all proceeds will benefit Michelle-O-Gram.