Real Firefighters Wear Pink

They are known as some of the toughest men and women in the borough, as they have been seen running into burning buildings to save people and their most prized possessions.

But Naugatuck firefighters are not too tough to wear pink. 

In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), firefighters have donated money to be able to wear pink T-shirts to work. So far this year, firefighters have raised more than $250 for the Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center in Waterbury. Over the past three years, the NFD has raised more than $1,000 for the center, which strives to improve the health of the community by creating and fostering a patient and family-centered approach to high quality cancer care.

Firefighter Todd Gallino said the department strives to give to many worthwhile causes. Over the summer, the firefighters wore red T-shirts in lieu of donating money to ship care packages to a local soldier and his troop serving in the U.S. Armed Forces overseas. Firefighters helped raised more than $1,000 for that cause. 

"We want to try to give to as many worthy organizations as possible," Gallino said.

Pink is the official color of breast cancer awareness month. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is a collaboration of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to services.