Firefighters raise cancer awareness

During the month of October, firefighters with the Russellville Fire Department will once again be wearing and selling pink T-shirts in order to raise money for free mammogram screenings at Russellville Hospital.

This year’s pink T-shirts can be purchased for $15 at the RFD Station 2 on U.S. 43. All sizes are available.

Last year’s T-shirt sales, as well as a banquet dinner fundraiser, allowed the RFD to donate $6,071.03 to Russellville Hospital to help uninsured women in Franklin County receive these free screenings.

“We are very thankful to the Russellville Fire Department employees for this generous gift,” said Christine Stewart, CEO of Russellville Hospital. “Early detection of breast cancer is the key to successful treatment and survival, and this donation will help many women and could save lives.”

Any woman in the county who is uninsured can call 256-332-8688 to find out more about qualifying for these special free screening made possible by the RFD.

“This fundraiser is something the guys in the department had come up with because breast cancer has affected family members of some of them so they wanted to find some way to help,” Fire Chief Joe Mansell said. “Lots of people will be able to benefit from these mammograms and I’m just proud of the guys for getting out there and giving back to the community through this fundraiser. Many of them have promoted these T-shirt sales when they’re off duty.”

Russellville Fire Marshal Steve Thornton said the men in the fire department were more than glad to give back.

“Breast cancer awareness is a very important cause,” Thornton said,” but we wanted to make sure the money we raised stayed in the community and helped our friends and neighbors who needed assistance receiving mammogram screenings.”

Also during the month of October, the RFD will be having a “Paint the County Pink” day on Monday, Oct. 24.

Franklin County residents are urged to wear pink that day to support women affected by breast cancer and other cancers.