Hugs From Pink Heals' Volunteers Make Pa. Woman's Day

MONT ALTO, Pa. – Heartfelt hugs from strangers made Staci Sage’s day Tuesday.

“I’m overwhelmed to say the least,” she said as she stood beside a pink fire truck.

The surprise visit from The Pink Heals tour, arranged by Frederick County, Md. Firefighter/EMT Jennie Gilbert, provided a brief, and much appreciated break for the Sage family.

As her mother lay dying in her home in May, Sage was notified that the lump she found in her breast was cancerous. Not wanting to add additional pain, she didn’t share the news with her.

“I told her I’d be OK – that it was something else.”

 Her husband, George, said with everything going on, she really hasn’t had time to grieve. 

 “It’s amazing that these firefighters would come here,” he said as their son, Alexander, 6, was helped into the cab of the E-One, donated by Fairfax County.

 “I’ve got a lump in my throat thinking there are people like this who care about us – strangers,” he added. “This is just one of the coolest things ever…”

 Several neighbors showed up as news of the pink fire truck and bus quickly spread.

 “I was told I was going to have a surprise, but had no idea what to expect,” Sage said as a neighbor hugged her. “I just can’t believe they are here for me.”

 She took a marker and wrote a message to her mother on the chrome around a wheel – ‘Miss you everyday’ as well as one for herself – ‘I got this.’

 The fire truck is covered with memories shared by cancer survivors as well as people who’ve lost a loved one. Somehow, those special messages have weathered thousands of miles of interstates and winding back roads through the years.

 The pink motor coach carries its own slogan – ‘Powered by love, driving for hope.’

 Bryan ‘Vinnie’ Vrbenec, a retired firefighter from Downers Grove, Ill., gets emotional when he talks about his experiences. "It's powerful..."

 As he drove the rig along the narrow country road, he waved to people who stopped mowing their lawns or standing in their yards. Passing motorists gave him thumbs up.

 A mile or so before we reached the Sage residence, he pulled over in a church parking lot. He donned pink turnout gear and a pink helmet.

 “This isn’t about breast cancer. This isn’t about cancer period. It’s about promoting women and health care,” he pointed out. “We don’t collect donations. If departments are raising money, that’s great. But, we want it to stay where it should – in their communities…”

 Vrbenec added the vehicles are pink as that’s typically the color associated with females.

 The Pink Heals effort was started by Dave Graybill to show support for women.

 “It’s not about disease, it’s about people,” he said. “We often have a hard time getting that message across. We’re not taking donations along the trip…”

 Fire trucks are donated by municipalities, and painted pink. In addition to the one on the national tour, more than 100 are maintained by individual chapters across the country.

 Money from t-shirt sales is used for fuel.

 Vrbenec, the father of four, enjoys the trips. “I’m a people person. I love putting smiles on people’s faces. A hug says it all…”

 He readily admits he’s brought to tears at times. "A hug lets them know someone cares..."

 Downers Grove Firefighter/Medic Joel Mains takes vacation to accompany the tour, something he’s done since 2011.

 His first home visit in Bakersfield, Calif., involved the wife of a retired firefighter whose sons also were on a department.

 “I’ll just never forget it. One of the sons presented her with roses. It was just something else…”

 Mains said he spent 21 days on the road during a tour – and enjoyed every second of it. He also said it's difficult to explain how wonderful it is to meet folks.

 “The people we meet are so appreciative. Even, people who drive by us on the highway wave or show support.

 While in Maryland the past few days, the Pink Heals volunteers visited the National Fire Heritage Center, the National Fire Academy, a local nursing home and area fire department carnivals.

 They hit the road early Wednesday for Ohio.