A Man In Pink Does Heal!, a salute to Dave Graybill and his men in pink.

Jim Franckowiak at the Jerome AZ Pink Heals! Kick-off event, August 5 2010

 

I had the pleasure of attending the Guardians of the Ribbon “Pink Heals Tour 2010 Kick-off Event” in Jerome Arizona last week and what a time it was. From the Men in Pink Heals! Facebook site, the  Guardians of the Ribbon state:  We are an organization that drives PINK Fire Trucks across the United States to support women in their fight against cancer and inspire men to get involved.

 

Started in Phoenix, Arizona by firefighter, Dave Graybill, the Pink Heals! non-profit organization accepts no sponsors and refers to its membership as the Guardians of the Ribbon. Comprised of firefighters, police officers and leaders in the community, the Men in Pink Heals! or Guardians have joined together to criss-cross the country in pink fire trucks, to raise awareness for the fight against cancer and inspire men to support the women of their community. 

On October 25-27th 2010, the Guardians of the Ribbon are asking those involved with public safety, local leaders and citizens of the community wear something PINK to show support for women battling cancer.  As the Pink Heals! web site says: It is in our nature to fight for those who have lost the ability to fight for themselves, and we are asking the public for support. It will not only bring us together, but also give those who are battling this disease an overwhelming feeling of HOPE.

Don’t ya love that? Men supporting women? I really did not know what to expect at the Jerome Pink Heals! kick-off except a pink fire truck which was there, but what I also found was a group of men completely and totally supportive of women fighting cancer. Not to be forgotten, I found the community of Jerome Arizona out in force to support the Pink Heals! Tour 2010.

Mr. Graybill, the organization’s founder, is truly inspiring. His Pink Heals! organization travels on pink fire trucks fueled by gas dollars donated by generous and supportive citizens, and by purchases of the organization’s Pink Heals! T-shirts. Funds raised in each Pink Heals! tour community by raffles and auctions of donated goods and services remain local, and are used solely for the well-being of local women battling cancer. 

Jim Franckowiak with the Guardians of the Ribbon , August 5 2010

Walking over to the first of the pink fire trucks, I was humbled reading name after name of women, women who have lost or continue the fight against cancer. I read the names of women who have lost mothers to cancer and continue the fight for them. I also saw generations of women who fight this fight because they too share cancer,  just like a sister or cousin. That pink fire truck was covered with women’s names signed in indelible black ink, and the personal messages many shared were heart-wrenching but also encouraging so others would know that no one fights alone. As I observed the care that the Guardians of the Ribbon took to honor and protect women’s names and words written on a pink fire engine, I understood that there is a ribbon that binds, a pink ribbon of hope guarded by this brotherhood of men who serve selflessly on behalf of women who need help in the fight against cancer.

This brotherhood and sisterhood of people who care now includes the townspeople of Jerome Arizona. Not only did this town show its support by attending the Pink Heals! event, the citizens donated items for a raffle and silent auction. The people and business owners in Jerome are off-the-chain generous! I doubt anyone went away empty-handed, and the little Goddess statue that I won sits on my vanity next to Buddha to remind me of the power we all have, male and female! 

Jerome’s Quince Restaurant provided food for the Kick-off event and donated the proceeds to the Pink Heals! Tour. Trust me, folks, that $5 public dinner was no hot-dog cart on wheels kind of thing…they served the best salad (feta cheese dressing was OMG good!) and Quince, knowing that we all have a sweet tooth, offered delicious pies and other yummies. Back to the treadmill goodies! 

The beautiful summer evening event in Jerome included a big shout out to the people who helped make the Pink Heals! Kick-off possible; each and every one responsible for organizing and bringing the pink fire trucks to Jerome received much deserved thanks, and to Dave Graybill and Guardians of the Ribbon, kudos to each and every one of you. Guess who will be in the pink to see you next year in the Verde Valley? 

Later under the dusk sky, as I stood and looked over the valley below Jerome, I thanked the Goddess in all that allows us to become part of a truly unselfish and generous show of support for women, women whom many love, and many have lost. So to all of you, keep the fight alive! Keep inspiring other men like me to get involved. This story is for and about you, all.

Article written by Jim Franckowiak, sedonaeye.com contributing writer. c2010  Sedona Times Publishing

 

To read other stories by this author, use the web site “Search”box and enter any of these keywords: “Hollywood Jim”- “Gripe Guy”-“Jim Franckowiak”-“Angel Valley.”   To contact the author, email HollywoodJimAdvice@yahoo.com.   Mark your calendars for the October 25-27 wear pink days!

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