Hamilton County Emergency Medical Crews’ uniform will change to a pink shirt during the month of October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. Pictured left to right are Deputy Chief John Combes, Paramedics Patrice Schermerhorn, Tracie Shannon, Vincent Vella, Leah Butcher, Lt. Paramedic Brandy Rogers, and Lt. Paramedic Brian Bricker.
The 139 employees of Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services will wear pink shirts as part of the official HCEMS uniform during the month of October announced HCEMS Deputy Chief John Combes.
The uniform change is in recognition of breast cancer awareness month and in celebration of the life of local television personality Mary Ellen Locher who courageously fought the disease until her death 10 years ago and brought awareness of breast cancer to the forefront in the Chattanooga community.
“As medical personnel, especially emergency medical, we see pain and suffering daily,” said Deputy Chief Combes. “We are conscious of the needs of those with cancer and the challenges faced by their family and friends. Many of our employees have faced the fears and challenges of breast cancer and as a group, we wanted to continue to bring awareness of the disease in our community and the local efforts to help find a cure and support breast cancer survivors and their families.”
HCEMS employees purchased the pink shirts to wear during October. Proceeds from the sale of the shirts will be donated to the Mary Ellen Locher Cancer Center here in Chattanooga to further assist those with breast cancer and their families.
A limited number of the pink HCEMS shirts will be available to the public for $10 each. For more information contact: HCEMS Captain Darlene Poole 423-209-5007 or dpoole@hamiltontn.gov.
“It is our goal to provide quality emergency medical care for our community,” said Deputy Chief Combes. “This month-long awareness campaign is an effort of our employees to continue to set the standard of care in our area and provide service and assistance to those in need.”
County Mayor Jim Coppinger supports Emergency Medical Crews’ event to wear pink shirts for Breast Cancer Awareness month in October. Pictured left to right are Paramedics Vincent Vella, Crystal Johnson, Tracie Shannon, Mayor Jim Coppinger (center) Lt. Paramedic Brandy Rogers, Paramedics Patrice Schermerhorn, and Leah Butcher.