Huntley Firefighters Go Pink for a Cause

The stares aren't uncommon.

Firefighters from Station No. 2 are used to people glancing their way and wanting to know what's going on when sirens blare and lights flash. But lately, they've been getting a different kind of look—and they're convinced it has something to do with those pink shirts.

At the beginning of the month, the men ditched their uniforms for a lighter pink attire that supports the annual breast cancer awareness campaign by the Huntley Fire Protection District.

The campaign, with its 2010 slogan, "Let's Fight This Battle Together," is now in its third year. The department staff sports pink shirts throughout October, and they're often stopped by residents who want to know the story behind their drastic wardrobe switch.

"When you see 75 firemen, it really does stick out," Deputy Fire Chief Ken Caudle said. "People do come up to us and ask, 'Why are you wearing pink?'"

Local curiosity and support for breast cancer awareness helped launch a successful fundraiser that has hundreds of Huntley residents sporting the pink shirts. The effort coincides with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

It all started when one of the firefighters learned doctors diagnosed his mom with breast cancer. He wanted to do something.

Realizing so many of its members have been touched by the disease that will invade more than 200,000 bodies nationwide this year,  the department mobilized and decided to sell pink shirts for the cause.

During the first year, the effort raised $5,000. The total doubled last year.

This year, the goal is to sell at least 2,000 shirts and surpass the $10,000 mark. The department is selling pink baseball caps for the first time as well.

Weeks before the late September campaign launch, Caudle took calls from people who wanted to know when the shirts would go on sale. 

The shirts, designed by graphic artist Sherry Ravagnie, are popular among local residents. Caudle said the department even fielded calls from as far away as Germany, Canada and South America.

"This really had taken off," Caudle said. "It's turned out to be this monster, a good monster."

More than 500 shirts have been sold since the campaign started, Fire Capt. Scott Ravagnie said.

Money from the shirts supports area breast cancer awareness efforts. More than half of the proceeds goes toward the breast cancer fund at Family Health Partnership Clinic–an account created for preventative breast cancer care for uninsured McHenry County residents. The care includes everything from mammograms and screenings to educational efforts in the community.

In the first two years, the Huntley Fire Protection District donated $8,555 to the clinic, said Cathy Patenaude, development coordinator for Family Health.

The fund is critically important, she said, because uninsured people are much more likely to avoid care because of high out-of-pocket costs.

 T-shirts and hats can be purchased at Station No. 2, 10590 Reed Road, or 13240 Route 47. Long-sleeve shirts cost $17 and short-sleeve shirts and hats cost $15. The items are also being sold on E-Bay.