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A record-breaking fundraiser has put cancer awareness in the pink.

Each year in October, the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District, along with several local fire departments raise funds for Pink Heals through the purchase of special Breast Cancer Awareness shirts. This year’s shirt sales broke record numbers with the help of the public’s participation and local fire personnel.

“This year we not only had our own Lehigh Acres firefighters involved, but we had a lot of new fire districts participate. As more fire departments started to see what we were doing and how it impacted the community, I started to get orders from our neighboring departments. This year we had a total of six fire departments participate including our own,” LAFCRD Firefighter Paramedic Sarah Goldstein said.

Each year Goldstein organizes the annual fundraiser, which has raised more than $10,000 for the Pink Heals organization since 2017. Inspired by her mother’s battle with breast cancer, Goldstein designs a new shirt each year to help make a difference in the lives of others.

“When someone is diagnosed with a serious illness, they need a strong support system to encourage them to keep fighting,” stated Goldstein in a LAFCRD press release. “We are here to show our love and support.”

This year’s high numbers were made possible by the involvement of several surrounding fire districts; Iona McGregor, San Carlos Park, South Trail, Captiva Island, and the City of Fort Myers.

“This was the first year for San Carlos Park, South Trail and Captiva Island. My goal is to get every single fire department on board. Besides getting the fire personnel out of their normal everyday uniforms, it helps spread the word that we all stand united on this front against cancer,” Goldstein said. “That word cancer affects everyone and has touched everyone in the world differently. We want to do whatever we can to give back and show our support.”

Although the color and front logo on the shirt varies by department, the design on the back is the same and signifies the support for Pink Heals and cancer warriors.

“This year, over $10,300 was raised for Pink Heals due to the support of each fire department and their community members,” said LAFCD spokesperson Katie Heck.

For more information on the fundraiser visit: https://www.lehighfd.com/community/page/annual-fundraiser-pink-heals-hits-record-numbers