The power of pink

Dozens of friends, family members, neighbors, public safety personnel stage surprise procession to support local woman battling cancer

Meri R. Kennedy
Posted 7/1/15

On a sunny Friday afternoon, June 26, at 1:30 p.m., a large group of family and friends of Susan Adler of Cranston hid from sight around the corner of her home on Riverfarm Road off Reservoir …

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The power of pink

Dozens of friends, family members, neighbors, public safety personnel stage surprise procession to support local woman battling cancer

Posted

On a sunny Friday afternoon, June 26, at 1:30 p.m., a large group of family and friends of Susan Adler of Cranston hid from sight around the corner of her home on Riverfarm Road off Reservoir Avenue.

Even her brother Allen Poppler from New York and her cousins from Massachusetts came in to join in the crowd. Susan was in her home and unaware of what was about to take place.

Susan is currently battling breast cancer for the second time, which led to a full mastectomy, and she is presently receiving chemotherapy. A friend of hers made special arrangements for the Pink Heals to visit that afternoon just to remind Susan how much she is loved and how much support she has behind her.

At 2 p.m., the crowd heard the sirens and waited for the pink fire truck, rescue and police car, which are part of the RI Pink Heals, to turn the corner. Susan, in her home with her husband Steve, daughter Shoshanna and son Joshua, had no idea what was going on. She heard the sirens as well and became worried, thinking something was wrong in the neighborhood. Yet, she soon found out something was so right.

As the parade of Pink Heals vehicles took the turn onto Riverfarm Road, the crowd that had gathered walked from the corner to Susan’s home. Susan, very curious and worried something was wrong stood at the front door with her family, and it took time for it to sink in – the parade of pink was there to deliver flowers and hugs from firefighters dressed in pink gear.

“My first reaction was, ‘What is going on?’ I could not believe what was happening,” Susan said. “After taking it all in, I knew a fellow sister of survival who is always doing these amazing good deeds for people was behind this. I can never truly thank her for that one moment in time.”

Approximately 50 friends, family and neighbors joined in to show Susan support in her battle. During the visit, she was presented with flowers and hugs from Pink Heals representatives Lt. Chris Seelenbrandt, Lt. Matt Medeiros and Lt. John Botello. Susan signed the Pink Heals fire truck, “Jackie,” posed with Pink Heals firefighters, and also posed for a photograph again with the firefighters and friends, family and neighbors who had gathered.

For approximately 45 minutes, Susan was showered with love, support and a sense of community. Her husband, Steven, was “in the know” and arranged refreshments in their home for those who came out in support of his wife.

“I have heard of the Pink Heals before and seen them at other events. I never thought they would show up at my house,” Susan said. “The visit made me feel like a queen for the day. I could not believe this was being done for me. I am still pinching myself about the day.

“I think they are amazing and make woman like me special, not only myself, but my family also. They make you forget about any difficult times you are having,” she continued.

The Pink Heals are first responders who dedicate their time and efforts, for free, to visit women of all ages battling cancer. They paint their vehicles pink and wear pink to let the world know that they are there in support.

The Pink Heals are 100-percent non-profit, as there is no payroll or compensation for their staff members of volunteers. They fund their Women’s Center in West Warwick and raise funds for flower deliveries, which is free to women in treatment and survivors. They also donate funds in support of those who have been diagnosed with cancer at Women & Infants, The Ronald McDonald House and Hospice Care RI.

“What truly surprised me was how my family kept this a secret. The other moment that took my breath away was when I walked outside and saw all three pink vehicles, and when I turned to the left and saw 50 of my friends and family members walking down the street towards me, it was like an out of body experience to see how many people came out to support me. It was a definite ‘wow’ moment,” Susan said.

Across the U.S. and Canada, there are many chapters of the Pink Heals. There are more than 50 pink fire trucks that carry more than a million signatures to honors those who have battled cancer. On each pink vehicle, one can find messages of love, encouragement and support, as well as heartwarming memorials. The messages are never removed, yet do fade in about a year, and all are welcome to resign at any given time. The Rhode Island Pink Heals vehicles have names such as Susanne, Jackie and Jenna, named in memorial to those who lost their battle.

“Hugging those pink firefighters made me feel so loved and protected. They are very special with words of encouragement and since they all have known someone with cancer, those hugs and words were touching,” Susan said. “Thank you will never be enough for my special day. To see friends and family from near and far celebrate my battle is something I will never forget.  Having cancer has taught me I am the luckiest person, and that was proven on June 26, when the Pink Heals came to visit me.”

“My wife is the one that does everything for me and our children. She is a rock for all of us during this second battle with cancer. To see her smile that day beaming with happiness, made my day,” said her husband Steven.

Rhode Island Pink Heals is located at 53 Providence St., Suite 6, West Warwick, RI 02893. For more information, call 401-828-PINK (7465) or visit www.ripinktrucks.com.

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