VERO BEACH — No fire engine red for these ladies – the Indian River Fire Girls are on a mission to paint the town a sizzling hot pink. From dazzling pink fire trucks to fiery fuchsia fashions, their “We Care to Wear Pink” campaign is furthering the cause of breast cancer awareness with a rosy radiance.
The Fire Girls heated things up yet again Saturday night, hosting a Fashion Show and Dinner Dance at the Oak Harbor Clubhouse to raise funds for a new Pink 4 Life Mammogram Assistance Program, which will launch in January.
A partnership initiative with Vero Radiology, the goal is to focus the attention on the importance of early breast cancer detection by providing mammograms for men and women who cannot otherwise afford the vital screening.
Statistics indicate that the five-year survival rate when breast cancer is detected early, through regular self- exams, clinical breast exams and mammograms, is 98 percent.
“Over and over, wherever we would sell our tee-shirts, women and men would come up to our booth and say that they needed a mammogram, but could not afford it,” said Erin Graul, of the Pink 4 Life concept. “All the money that we raise this year will go to that.”
Inspired by friends and family members stricken with the disease, the core group of Fire Girls – Fire Medic Barbara Grass, and firefighter wives Cynthia Chisholm, Stacy Gabbard, Erin Graul and Melinda Judson, launched their campaign in March, 2011 to raise awareness and money in the fight against breast cancer.
Their infectious passion and enthusiasm quickly garnered the support of the entire community.
The ladies stepped up their fundraising efforts last year through colorful tee-shirt sales and a fashion show luncheon at Costa d’Este, and next generated a buzz with the unveiling of an attention-getting hot pink fire truck, repainted by Flo Ursulean, an Indian River County firefighter and owner of the Firehouse Garage in Sebastian.
“I think it’s important to try to raise money and keep some here locally,” said Dr. Heather Nagel, director of Women’s Imaging at Vero Radiology. “We sponsor a lot of other events as well with the American Cancer Society and will continue to, but these are all things that women need locally.”
Approximately 170 guests got into the spirit of the evening – sporting a rainbow of pinks from powder puff pale to pinks with pizazz. Guests even sipped on pink champagne and “Pink Sensation” specialty drinks as they perused the tables of silent auction items lining the lobby.
There was also some animated chatter about their next adventure, which had Fire Girls and friends heading out early the next morning to join the Miami Dolphins at the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation Day game against the St. Louis Rams.
“They sent us an email asking if we would bring our pink truck to the game,” said Cynthia Chisholm.
“There’s about 30 of us going; we couldn’t pass something like that up. Flo is actually driving it down there tonight. We’re excited!’
Several members of the close-knit firefighting community assisted at the event, including IRC Fire Rescue’s John O’Connor, fresh off his successful Tour de Vero fundraiser, who said he was “multi-tasking” by videotaping the event.
And Lt. Toby Turner, looking particularly spiffy in a tuxedo accented with pink cummerbund and bow tie, was recruited to emcee the fashion show.
Guests filtered into the club’s activity room – totally transformed into a runway setting with a soft glow from pink floodlights – for a lovely fashion show by Talulah’s Boutique.
“Ed Meade did the lighting; we met with him and we just glued,” said Chisholm. Giving kudos to Jennifer Downes, the club’s events coordinator, she added, “She saw our vision. We explained what we wanted and she made it happen.”
In memory of his late wife Margo, who lost her courageous battle with breast cancer, Tony Donadio was the event’s top sponsor.
Another sponsor, plastic surgeon Dr. Alan Durkin of the Advanced Facial Cosmetic and Laser Surgery Center, jumped on board their pink endeavor early on and attended the event with wife Dr. Roxanne Engel and their adorable little eight-week-old daughter.
“I met the Fire Girls by accident, and it was a match made in heaven,” said Durkin, speaking briefly before the show. “I will be working with these girls for the next 20 years.”
Firefighter wives and friends gracefully walked the runway, showing off the hottest trends of the season with a colorful selection of designer fashions, ranging from short and sassy to sleek and sophisticated.
Guests next migrated to the rosy hued dining room, where even the napkins were creatively folded into pink ribbons, for a delicious fillet mignon dinner topped off with a dessert bar filled with decadent treats.
Breast cancer survivor Kelcena Horne-Watson accepted a duel role – modeling in the fashion show and giving a moving testimony as an eight-year breast cancer survivor.
“I am excited that you all came out to support the cause,” said Watson, who was a single mother with two young children when she was diagnosed.
“It was traumatic for me. It was a hardship. But I made it through. I can say it has made me stronger,” said Watson. “It has made me a better person.”
After treatment, Watson said she volunteered with various support groups, at one point earning the Susan G. Komen Volunteer of the Year award.
Now a three-year Vero Beach resident, she is continuing her journey as an advocate, and is championing the Fire Girls mission. To them and their many supporters she said, “I take my hat off to you all.”
