Breast cancer affects more women than any other type of cancer other than skin cancer, and the City of Albany has decided to join the fight to find a cure.
And worldwide, October is known officially as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
To join in on the effort, the Albany Fire Department has 'gone pink' for breast cancer awareness.
For the next 29 days, firefighters will wear and sell special pink T-shirts to help pay for crucial research to find new and different cures and treatments.
That means citizens can expect to see the men and women of the AFD wearing the shirts while responding to emergency calls around the city, fighting fires, and cancer at the same time.
Chief Robert Forezzi kicked off the campaign in front of the Midtown Fire House on Washington Ave.
"Not only are these T-shirts being worn to show support, but 100 percent of the proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation," Forezzi said.
And at 10 dollars a shirt, that's a lot of cash pumped right back into the foundation, funding crucial research and support for breast cancer victims.
Alex Affonso is a Probationary Firefighter with the Albany Fire Department.
Affonso said, "My mother, she's a survivor of breast cancer, and she's still fighting it. But every day, you keep on going, so."
Affonso's mom is living example that the research does help find new treatments.
Chief Forezzi said, "Every one of us is affected, directly, or indirectly by this horrible disease. But know that great strides are being made."
Affonso said, "I'm so proud of my mother, just the different treatments that she's had to go through, very difficult. I mean it's a lot of stress on everybody, and just being able to still maintain family relationships and work, and go through chemo and everything that she's had to go through and continue to survive."
Lt. Kim Ciprioni has been with the Albany Fire Department for 15 years.
"You know, just the attention we get is great. The mammograms and screening, you know? We're living in a city where a lot of people can't afford their health care, and just something to remind them when we go into their homes that you know, hey this is breast cancer month, maybe you should be taking care of yourself," Ciprioni said.
Lynette Stark is the Executive Director of the Northeastern New York affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
"There's no one that exemplifies the community and service in Albany better than the Albany fire department, and I think it's just a unique T-shirt to have too, to show support, not only for breast cancer, but for your firefighters," Stark said.
If you would like to buy one of these T-shirts, all you have to do is show up at the Midtown Firehouse at 320 Washington Avenue.
And Albany isn't the only local town going pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Their brothers in service at fire departments across Schenectady are holding a similar campaign.
