Firefighters Donate Funds to Support Breast Cancer Patients

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla., June 15, 2016 During a New Smyrna Beach City Commission meeting on June 14, the New Smyrna Beach Fire and Rescue Department presented a check for $6,434 to Florida Hospital New Smyrna to assist breast cancer patients. The City Commission was very proud of our firefighters for their support of breast cancer patients by contributing to the hospital's Foundation, said Pam Brangaccio, New Smyrna Beach city manager. Firefighters sold pink t-shirts to help raise funds to donate to the hospital. For the last few years, we have assisted with the New Smyrna Beach Fire Departments breast cancer fundraising drives and helped cover the costs for the wrap on their pink fire truck, but this is the first year that our hospital has been the recipient of funds they've raised through their breast cancer awareness efforts, said Craig Bair, Florida Hospital New Smyrna marketing and foundation director. We are so honored and grateful for their donation and on-going support of our community. Each October, the New Smyrna Beach Fire and Rescue Department transforms a fire truck from red to pink to raise funds and awareness about breast cancer. They bring the truck to various community events, sell pink t-shirts and collect donations. Additionally, the pink truck serves as a mobile monument to those who have fought breast cancer, as the community is encouraged to sign the emergency vehicle to honor or remember a loved one. All of us at the New Smyrna Beach Fire Department work hard at giving back to our community in support of our neighbors, said firefighter Brandon Hazelwood. Breast cancer impacts a lot of women in our community and we are all very pleased to support this cause. On behalf of the board of directors, we wish to say thank you for this generous donation, said Pat Driver, chairman of the hospital's Foundation. These funds will help us continue to improve the health of women in our community-fighting breast cancer. We truly appreciate and value our partnership with all of the fire and rescue professionals of the New Smyrna Beach Fire and Rescue Department. About Florida Hospital New Smyrna Florida Hospital New Smyrna is a member of Adventist Health System, a faith-based health care organization with 46 hospital campuses and nearly 8,200 licensed beds in 10 states. With 112-beds, Florida Hospital New Smyrna is one of the six Florida Hospitals in Volusia and Flagler counties that composes the Florida Hospital East Florida Region. As the largest hospital system in the area, the Florida Hospital East Florida Region has 899 beds and nearly 5,900 employees. For more information about Florida Hospital New Smyrna, visit www.FHNewSmyrna.org.