Oct. 9 – Residents might notice something a little different about Norfolk County paramedics for the next couple months.
As part of a province-wide initiative that began in Hamilton, area paramedics have donated money (usually $10 per person) in order to sport pink and powder blue epaulettes (shoulder pieces) in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.
In October, the team will don pink to raise awareness for breast cancer. In November they’ll sport blue epaulettes with moustaches, in support of the Movember movement against prostate cancer.
“This is the paramedics’ chance to give back to their community in a unique way,” said Norfolk County Paramedic Services Chief Sarah Page. “Not only are they raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society to support men’s and women’s cancer, but also recognizing our patients that are fighting the battle right now.”
Page noted that a pair of team members have been diagnosed in the past and the program allows their peers to show support, as well as give back to the community. Doing so, she added, brings paramedics from across the province closer together.
Norfolk County paramedics have only been taking part in the initiative for three years, but they’ve already raised more than $2,500. Not only does the money go to a great cause, but the epaulettes have caught plenty of eyes across the county.
“People do notice, the bright pink in October is especially something that’s quite different for us so they ask, and that’s another way that we can start the conversation about supporting the community in different ways,” Page explained. “A lot of our patients that are fighting really appreciate that we’re trying to do something in the background as well.”
For more information on Norfolk’s Paramedic Services, visit https://www.norfolkcounty.ca/living/emergency-services/emergency-medical-services/.
