Pictured left to right: front - Dale Solomon, Robin Marsh, Brandy Rogers, Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger, Melisa Kertesz and Deborah Deal; row 2 - Dan Asterford, Liz Bagwell, Jamie Lawson, Tom Jackson and Tim Grant; row 3 - Tracie Shannon, David Burdett, Kelly Tornow Chris Dill and Roxanne Caldwell.
The 130 employees of Hamilton County Emergency Medical Service will wear newly designed pink shirts as part of the official HCEMS uniform during the month of October, announced HCEMS Lieutenant Chris Dill. The uniform change is in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This will be the fourth experience by HCEMS in raising funds for breast cancer awareness in Hamilton County.
Sales of the t-shirts began Sept. 4 and will continue through the end of September, and are available to all citizens, organizations and businesses in the area for $15 each. Sizes range from adult small through 5X.
Proceeds from the 2018 T-Shirt Sales Campaign will benefit Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, ParkRidge Medical Center in Chattanooga.
Sarah Cannon was a television and radio personality, known worldwide for her Grand Ole Opry character, “Minnie Pearl.” After receiving treatment for breast cancer, she offered the use of her given name to promote cancer research and patient education with a vision of offering patients convenient access to early detection, clinical trials and a team approach to cancer care. The funds donated by HCEMS from the proceeds will assist breast cancer victims and their families within the Hamilton County and Chattanooga area.
The committee, made up of HCEMS crew members and administrative employees, created the design, printed and will sell the newly designed shirts for 2018. “It is a very dedicated Committee that I am proud to be a part of," said HCEMS Lt. Dill. “As medical personnel, especially emergency medical, we see pain and suffering daily. We are conscious of the needs of those who suffer from the disease of 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 have purchased the newly designed shirts to wear during October. For more information, contact HCEMS Lieutenant Brandy Rogers at 423-209-5007 or Brogers@hamiltontn.gov
“It is our goal to provide quality emergency medical care for our community,” said Lt. Dill. “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."