Franklin Fire and Rescue is acknowledging National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by participating in the #pinkhydrantchallenge.
The challenge, utilized by fire departments all over the country, has participants paint fire hydrants bright pink to match the color of the advocacy effort. Pink hydrants make for an eye-catching visual statement, prompting many onlookers to research further into why the change was made. While Franklin Fire and Rescue has been taking the challenge for several years, they switched locations this year and painted a hydrant on Main Street.
According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world for women, making up 25% of all new cancer diagnoses in women and 12% in the general population. The United States alone is home to over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors. American women are estimated to have a one in eight chance of having breast cancer at some point in their lives, meaning that almost everyone knows someone who has suffered from the disease.
Fire Chief Ben Ormond said the hydrant is an opportunity for Franklin residents to show solidarity with survivors. Passersby are encouraged to sign the hydrant with words of encouragement or anything based on their own experiences with the disease. The hope is that the survivors who call Franklin home will be able to look at a hydrant full of signatures at the end of the month and know they aren’t alone.
“The majority of people have a family member, friend or loved one that has been affected by breast cancer, and we wanted to do our part to raise awareness and show support to the brave men and women who have or who are battling this horrible disease,” Ormond said. “We encourage breast cancer survivors, family or friends of those who battled breast cancer, anyone who lost someone to this disease or anyone with words of encouragement to write something on the hydrant.”