Have you been out for a walk recently and looked up to see something BIG and PINK coming down the road? Did you wonder if you were finally seeing one of those ‘pink elephants’ people have talked about for eons? Rest assured it wasn’t a pink elephant but an honest-to-goodness pink propane truck! It is a huge, rolling example of community spirit, of people coming together in a unique and visible way to care for each other.

Eel River Fuel Truck

The story behind the Pink Truck…
           
In the summer of 2008, Ken Foster, owner and founder of Eel River Fuels, called Sara O’Donnell, executive director of the Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County (CRCMC).  Ken wanted to donate financially to CRCMC on an ongoing basis and wanted others to learn about the great work done by the organization.  He asked Sara what she thought of his wild and crazy idea—painting one of his propane trucks pink and donating a penny per gallon of every residential propane delivery.  Sara was stunned and delighted!

With the Pink Truck traveling more than 1000 miles a week in Mendocino County, Ken hoped that seeing “Cancer Resource Center” on the side of the truck might just help someone who was recently diagnosed get the support and assistance they need.  He chose pink because it is the most recognizable color associated with cancer awareness, and he added 10 multi-colored ribbons on both sides of the truck to represent an array of cancer diagnoses, since CRCMC serves all cancer patients and their families, regardless of the type of cancer (or the ability to pay).

Initially, the truck’s driver, Amador, wasn’t sure how he would be received in a pink truck, but the smiles and waves he gets whenever he’s on the road let him know he’s got the coolest truck around.

So, if you see a big pink truck driving down the road, give Amador a honk or a ‘thumbs up’ and be proud that in Mendocino County, because of the Cancer Resource Center, no one needs to face cancer alone.

CRCMC was founded in 1995 to provide a wide range of information, support and advocacy services free of charge to those in Mendocino County facing cancer.  Services are provided countywide from two offices. The Ukiah office is located at 590 South Dora Street (467-3828) and the coastal office can be found at 45040 Calpella Street in Mendocino (937-3833).
	Truck with cancer awareness ribbons and CRCMC logo