05/02/2017
Just about seven years ago I set out on a journey with a group of amazing people across the Southeastern part of the United States. We were on a mission to spread love and support of all women battling cancer. Our carriage was a pink fire engine. I did not know what to expect but was intrigued. After 14 days and 2500 miles, the mission was set in my spirit. I returned to Illinois with a goal-I wanted to bring this program to Illinois!
With the unwavering love and support and help of my wife Jennifer, my children Hannah and Joshua and my Mother Bonnie, I moved forward with a plan to hopefully succeed in putting a truck and the Pink Heals program in place in five years. Due to the overwhelming support of friends, family, my coworkers and hundreds of volunteers, this plan became reality in under six months!
We then had to find a name for our Fire Engine. Someone with a story, someone who touched us all and someone who was a demonstration of the strength, will and personality of Pink Heals of Northern Illinois. That was when we met Jessica. A young woman who refused to let cancer get the best of her and who kicked is tail to the curb. There was no doubt our beautiful engine was to be named after her.
This program was started by a small group, but I cannot say thank you to the many people who made it possible in every way. Flight for Life and Tammy Chatman, Huntley Fire Department, Mike and Brian Beck, Jason Kedrok and Elenbe Diesel, WIRFs Industries. You guys kept Jess on the road and running like a top. But there is one person I want to make sure everyone knows about - Louie Sharp, Sharp Auto Body. Without his support and love for the program things would never have moved so fast and efficiently. The largest expense was to paint our fire engine. Louie not only insisted on painting her and supplying the paint. But closed his body shop for more than a week to make it happen.
There are a large number of people that need to be mentioned as well as our roots, our support and our drive. Not all can be named and I do not want to offend anyone if I miss even just one name, so I can only say thank you!!
Now you are probably wondering why I am posting this long message---We have spent just about two years planning for the succession of Pink Heals of Northern Illinois. I have decided that it is time to hand over the keys to Jessica and let someone else drive forward. There was no question who would be a great successor. I am proud and excited to announce that Jessica and her sister (Our ambulance donated by Foster Coach) will be moving to their new home at the Amboy Fire Department in Amboy Illinois. Fire Chief Jeff Bryant and his organization have always been "all-in" on everything they do and they have been HUGE supporters of our mission and our Chapter. We will make sure to let everyone know how to keep in touch and follow from here on out.
This is a very bittersweet moment and going to be a big change for all of us, but it is time for us to move on and we wish Chief Bryant and the Amboy Fire Department the best of luck.
Thank you SOOO much to everyone for your love and support over the last seven years - We love you all!!
Steve Rusin
President
Pink Heals of Northern Illinois
