News : Vinton PD partners with Pink Heals to raise funds

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Vinton Police Department is selling pink patches for $5 each to help support Pink Heals of Eastern Iowa. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Pink Heals Eastern Iowa to help with their projects.

The Pink Heals fire truck came to Vinton from Sauk Valley, Illinois, in 2017. Dennis Bramow had organized the visit for his wife Diana a cancer survivor. Now the two are leading the effort to help encourage and inspire other survivors of cancer and other illnesses. They started Iowa's first Pink Heals Chapter.

The pink fire truck is also accompanied sometimes by a pink police car that was donated by the Providence (Rhode Island) Pink Heals chapter. The pink police car in Vinton bears the name Anna, in honor of a woman who worked for the city of Johnston, R.I., before losing her battle with cancer. After receiving the truck from the Marion Fire Department, the Bramows took it to Thompson's Truck and Trailer in Cedar Rapids, where the crews painted it pink. Vinton firefighter Damien Fairbanks put the decals on it.

In the 5 years since the truck arrived, the organization has but on over 10,000 miles visiting more than 60 towns to stop and cheer those battling cancer. The farthest they have traveled has been to Wall Lake, Iowa, a 191 mile journey. 

A special feature about the truck is that those fighting the disease can sign their own names and everyone else can also leave messages of encouragement for those fighting illness or memorials to those who have died.

The project relies on volunteers to drive the vehicles to various locations and help people sign autographs. As a non-profit organization, Pink Heals Eastern Iowa relies on donations to cover the expense of vehicle maintenance and fuel.

For those who are too sick to come to the truck, Pink Heals volunteers will gladly drive to the homes of those fighting illness, and escort those patients to the truck to help them sign it. Feel free to contact the organization for a home visit for anyone battling cancer. You can call (319-721-3896) or leave a message on our Facebook page.

The truck also travels to events, parades and benefits or anything else where it might be a good fit. If you'd like to see the truck there, just let them know via the same contact information.

To help support the effort, you may purchase a patch to help with this endeavor by stopping by City Hall during business hours. Only available while supplies last!

If you would to donate directly to Pink Heals, you can donate via Vemo to diana-bramow, or you can send a donation to: Pink Heals Eastern Iowa at 1202 2nd Ave., Vinton, Iowa 52349.

See the Pink Heals Eastern Iowa Facebook page HERE.