How it all began...
In the summer of 2009, Ted Dion (the founder of the RI Pink Heals) found out that his mother (Jackie) was diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time. Trying to find a way to fight back against this terrible disease, Ted sought out the organization, Pink Heals. In November of 2009, Ted brought the idea to his fellow firefighters in Central Coventry of wearing pink tee shirts on duty in the month of October to show their support for woman battling cancer. The Central Coventry Firefighters welcomed the idea with open arms.
March 2010, Ted stood before the RI State Association of Fire Chiefs, to gain their support in turning the entire state of RI on to the "Cares Enough to Wear Pink" campaign. The fire chiefs agreed to support the campaign.
April 2010, Ted then went before the RI State Association of Firefighters, to once again ask for support with the campaign. Ted explained that he was asking every fire department in RI to wear pink tee shirts for one week in the month of October. Ted once again was victorious in his campaign. On May 20, 2010, the RI State Association of Firefighters officially adopted the "Cares Enough to Wear Pink" campaign.
In the months to come, Ted decided he wanted to start his own chapter of the Pink Heals. With lots of hard work, Ted had a fire truck donated to him by Chief Labbadia of the Coventry Fire District. Not having the funds to get it painted pink, it stayed in storage for future use.
In August 2008, Ted went to drive the pink fire trucks on the National Tour from AZ to IL. While Ted was away, the members of the Central Coventry Fire Department decided to have Ted's truck painted and surprise him when he returned to RI. In 10 days and approximately 700 man hours, Ted's brother FF's changed his truck from green to pink. The newly painted pink truck was then named "Jackie", after Ted's mom. On August 30th, "Jackie" drove down Ted's driveway for the surprise of his life. Jackie was the first person to sign the new truck. The next day, the paperwork was submitted to "officially" establish the RI Chapter of the Pink Heals.
March 2010, Ted stood before the RI State Association of Fire Chiefs, to gain their support in turning the entire state of RI on to the "Cares Enough to Wear Pink" campaign. The fire chiefs agreed to support the campaign.
April 2010, Ted then went before the RI State Association of Firefighters, to once again ask for support with the campaign. Ted explained that he was asking every fire department in RI to wear pink tee shirts for one week in the month of October. Ted once again was victorious in his campaign. On May 20, 2010, the RI State Association of Firefighters officially adopted the "Cares Enough to Wear Pink" campaign.
In the months to come, Ted decided he wanted to start his own chapter of the Pink Heals. With lots of hard work, Ted had a fire truck donated to him by Chief Labbadia of the Coventry Fire District. Not having the funds to get it painted pink, it stayed in storage for future use.
In August 2008, Ted went to drive the pink fire trucks on the National Tour from AZ to IL. While Ted was away, the members of the Central Coventry Fire Department decided to have Ted's truck painted and surprise him when he returned to RI. In 10 days and approximately 700 man hours, Ted's brother FF's changed his truck from green to pink. The newly painted pink truck was then named "Jackie", after Ted's mom. On August 30th, "Jackie" drove down Ted's driveway for the surprise of his life. Jackie was the first person to sign the new truck. The next day, the paperwork was submitted to "officially" establish the RI Chapter of the Pink Heals.
2011...
2011 was a very productive year. We met so many amazing people and were constantly busy doing events, flower deliveries, and getting our woman's center open.
We are proud to say that we were the first chapter in the country to establish a law enforcement division of the Pink Heals. We obtained two new police cars named "ANNA" (donated from the Town of Johnston) and "Susanne" (donated from the City of Warwick). We have added a bunch a great law enforcement officers to our membership to help spread our mission of supporting the women of Rhode Island.
We are also proud to be the first chapter in the country to open a woman's center. On April 16th, we had the ribbon cutting ceremony to "The Meeting House". The "Meeting House" is a non-clinical social group for survivors and women currently battling cancer to get together and make new friends. We have a group of woman that will be meeting on a regular basis to socialize, play games, arts/crafts, movie nights, and much more. If you are a woman who is currently battling cancer or have beaten this terrible disease and would like to join the group, please contact us. (Click Here)
We continue to work closely with the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. The staff there has been great to work with and we look forward to many more years of our great relationship. For more information about them, please visit www.gloriagemma.org
Towards the end of 2011, we were able to acquire a rescue tuck to be added to our fleet. The new truck will be named "Jenna", after a 9 year old young lady that is currently battling cancer. We will transform the rescue to Pink over the winter and unveil it in the spring. Keep your eyes open for this new addition...
