In the pink
Wally Sutton closes up his CityServiceValcon truck after providing fuel for a Kila farm. Sutton’s truck was painted pink to raise awareness of and money for the fight against breast cancer. “At first lots of the guys weren’t too sure about having a pink truck around,” Sutton said. “But the more I thought about it, my mother died of breast cancer, and two of my sisters and a sister-in-law are all breast cancer survivors, so God really laid it on my heart to drive this truck and help any way I could.” Chris Jordan/Daily Inter Lake
By CANDACE CHASE
Fuel truck delivers breast-cancer message
The Daily Inter Lake
A recently debuted pink CityServiceValcon truck carries more than fuel to diverse parts of the Flathead Valley.
It displays life-saving phone numbers and Web sites for people to find information about breast cancer. Bruce Atkinson of CityServiceValcon brought the idea back from a conference in Reno three to four months ago.
"I just think it's a great cause," Atkinson said. "When you look at the numbers, it's kind of amazing."
According to the American Breast Cancer Foundation (abcf.org), a woman dies of breast cancer every 12 minutes. 'The disease is the leading cause of death in women 35-50, and one woman in eight will face a breast-cancer diagnosis.
However, more than 90 percent of women survive beyond five years with early detection and treatment.
More than most, Atkinson understands that information and early detection may mean the difference between life and death. His wife Bobbi has survived breast cancer.
When he saw a picture of a pink propane truck at the conference, he was motivated to take the idea to his bosses. Atkinson said CityServiceValcon's fuel truck seemed like a better idea in the Flathead.
"The fuel truck goes to different parts of the valley every day," he said.
His bosses, Dallas Herron and Kary Tonjum, approved the idea, which includes donating a penny for every gallon of fuel from the truck to the American Breast Cancer Foundation. Customers will also find a pink ribbon tucked in their billing envelope.
Kalispell Regional Medical Center signed on as a sponsor. Signs Now agreed to provide the logos and messages.
"The only problem I thought we would have is finding someone to drive it," Atkinson said with a laugh.
But he was wrong. He said the regular driver of the truck immediately volunteered to commandeer the now shiny pink fuel-delivery truck on its appointed rounds.
Atkinson said that breast cancer had also touched the driver's immediate family. He was willing to take some ribbing about the pink truck to convey the message that "Early Detection is the Key to Life."
Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.