Fired Up for a Cause: Ferndale Firefighters Go Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Ferndale firefighters are wearing pink this month to promote breast cancer awareness and raise money to help find a cure.

Since Monday, the city's firefighters and fire department staff have been wearing pink t-shirts while on duty and will continue to wear the shirts through Oct. 22 to promote breast cancer awareness.

They are also selling the same shirt for $20 each, with all funds benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

It's part of a national effort by the International Association of Fire Fighters, said Gary McMenamin, community relations chair for the Ferndale Firefighters Local 812.

McMenamin told Ferndale City Council members on Monday that the IAFF has adopted the cause as one of the charities "that means something very close to us."

"One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime," and an estimated 32.5 million women will be diagnosed worldwide over the next 25 years, he said during the meeting.

Shirts are available for purchase at Ferndale City Hall and at both Ferndale fire stations - 1635 Livernois and 1070 E. Nine Mile Road.

"We hope that the community will join us on October 22nd where we're going to ask that everyone that bought a shirt wear the shirt on that day as a show of support," McMenamin said.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Find out about more Oakland County breast cancer awareness initiatives here.