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Crime & Safety

Firefighter Has Buffalo Grove Seeing Pink

Steve Rusin helps bring the national Pink Heals Tour to the village

It's not too surprising that Steve Rusin would go beyond the call of duty. After all, he is a firefighter.

But Rusin, who was instrumental in bringing the national women's cancer awareness Pink Heals Tour to Buffalo Grove for the first time in early September, isn't quite satisfied. He's still seeing pink.

"I'd like to start a chapter here in Buffalo Grove — have our own pink [fire] truck," said the 40-year-old Island Lake resident, a 19-year member of the Buffalo Grove Fire Department. "[We need to] get a truck donated and [have] a place to store it. That's what we're working toward at this point."

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Rusin's involvement in the nonprofit Guardians of the Ribbon's "Care Enough to Wear Pink" campaign began in 2009 when he was invited by a friend to attend a Pink Heals Tour stop in neighboring Mount Prospect. He immediately began supporting the campaign by selling T-shirts to friends, family members and co-workers. Despite a goal of 30, he ended up selling approximately 300 T-shirts last year. "T-shirts are the fundraiser that supports the campaign," he said. "There is no corporate sponsor."

Apparently, that only whetted his appetite. This year, Rusin arranged for the tour to come to Buffalo Grove. With the support of fire chief Terry Vavra and other village officials, that happened on Sept. 1 as three pink fire trucks rolled into town and were on display at Emmerich Park during the charity softball game that kicked off Buffalo Grove Days.

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The trucks — named "Tonya," "Karen" and "Elaine" after, respectively, the wife of a Tyler, Texas, firefighter who succumbed to cancer, a woman who donated the money to purchase the nonprofit's first pink fire truck, and Glendale, Ariz., mayor Elaine Scruggs — were escorted to the park by the Buffalo Grove Fire Department Honor Guard. As at every tour stop, supporters were encouraged to write messages on the trucks' exteriors.

Although the trucks were off to Terre Haute, Ind., the next day, Rusin's involvement didn't come to an end. He has volunteered to join the tour for two weeks starting in late September. He'll help drive the trucks from Florida to Texas, with stops along the way in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Rusin, who has lost his grandmother and father to leukemia and has seen friends battle breast cancer, gives so much to the tour because he believes in the cause, which is "people." "We're supporting the women," he said. "[The campaign] has nothing to do with the disease."

Jennifer Rusin, Steve's wife, marvels at his commitment. "He has jumped on the bandwagon with this 100 percent," she said. Jennifer has done her part as well, selling T-shirts and sweatshirts from the back of an SUV during the Buffalo Grove tour stop. "Look at this sea of pink," she said, looking over the crowd. "It's phenomenal."

Steve Rusin grew up in Buffalo Grove and Arlington Heights, having attended St. Mary's School in Buffalo Grove and Stevenson High School. He and Jennifer have two children – Hannah, 9, and Joshua, 6.

Rusin expects to sell 600 or more T-shirts and sweatshirts this year, with the proceeds supporting the tour and also remaining in the community to support women's cancer awareness causes. The shirts, customized with a Buffalo Grove logo designed by firefighter Frank Doll, can be purchased with order forms available on the Village of Buffalo Grove website.

The Pink Heals Tour makes more than 50 stops from mid-August through the end of October. Upon its culmination, the Guardians of the Ribbon ask all firefighters to wear pink on Oct. 25-27 to support the cause and honor women. For more information, visit pinkfiretrucks.org.

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