Despite countless medical advances in recent years, there are some diseases the medical field has yet to overcome; one of these incurable diseases is cancer. An average of 1,500 Americans die of cancer per day, making the disease the second leading cause of death in the U.S. alone. Although the difficulty of fighting cancer is severe, its victims are far from succumbing to it.

Pink Heals, a non-profit organization, supports patients battling cancer year-round. Dr. Lisa Benham, the president of Fresno County’s Pink Heals Chapter, started the mission in 2011 after she was inspired by Pink Heals’ national organization. As active president, Benham keeps all of the chapter’s information organized and sends out volunteers to help the community.

“I saw what the vehicles do for people,” Benham said. “And in saying that, it’s hard to explain, but when someone is battling a disease and they see the pink vehicles with messages written all over them and it’s messages of hope, love, and support, there is something that happens to them that they know they’re not alone. The highlight for me is to watch that happen and to be the catalyst to help that happen for people in our area.”

Pink Heals Incorporated started in Arizona in 2007 by a retired firefighter named Dave Graybill. The Pink Heals program has evolved from a single fire truck to over 150 trucks in 3 countries driven by hundreds of volunteers on a mission to keep fundraising local to support the communities themselves.

When Pink Heals was first founded, it centered around breast cancer which hence inspired the pink color of firetrucks and other vehicles. However, over the years it has evolved to help men, women and children battling any sort of cancer and the color has been adapted as the universal color of love for the organization.

Pink Heals is also completely non-profit; their revenue comes through donations and merchandise they sell online which is then used to maintain vehicles, buy gas and sponsor local Pink Heals chapters nationally. Everyone who works for Pink Heals is a volunteer and receive no salary; including tour drivers who volunteer 21 days annually to drive the vehicles around the nation.

I saw what the vehicles do for people. And in saying that, it’s hard to explain, but when someone is battling a disease and they see the pink vehicles with messages written all over them and it’s messages of hope, love, and support, there is something that happens to them that they know they’re not alone. The highlight for me is to watch that happen and to be the catalyst to help that happen for people in our area. — Dr. Lisa Benham, Fresno County Pink Heals president

While Fresno County’s chapter of Pink Heals endorses the same mission as the national chapter’s, it also stays true to its local roots. Every Pink Heals vehicle is named after a Fresno citizen; the firetruck and police car are named after young girls who passed away from cancer, while the motorcycle is named after Jody Jo, a local radio personality from 93.7.

Becky Avila, mother of FC alumni Hannah Avila, ‘14, and Roman Avila, ‘11, had a personal experience with the Fresno County Pink Heals chapter. While battling cancer, Pink Heals organized a surprise visit for Avila at the Fresno CHP office. Avila was told at the time there was a CHP open house event, but had no idea what was in store for her.

“In June of 2013 I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” Avila said. “It was such a fluke it really took us by surprise. From June to January of the next year I was diagnosed, had two surgeries and went through chemotherapy treatments.”

With the help of her husband Rob Avila, a caravan of pink vehicles and a crowd of people were there to surprise Avila to bring happiness to her life-threatening disease. Avila was told beforehand that the crowd was for a CHP open house event, yet she was amazed to realize later on that the crowd was meant for her.

“I was in awe,” Avila said. “For a moment I had no idea what was going on.  As reality set in, so did my emotions.  At that moment I felt the complete love and support of so many people; many I didn’t even know. As their mission states: they truly brought love and support to me and my family.”

Dr. Benham also assisted in making the surprise a reality for Avila. Avila’s husband Rob currently works for the Fresno CHP and had escorted the Pink Heals vehicles for many events, allowing Benham and (Rob) Avila to work together to create the special surprise.

“Rob Avila has been with us since the beginning. It was an amazing feeling to support one of our own volunteer’s family members,” Benham said. “Becky was struggling at the time trying to fight the cancer and that event was a turning point for her; she knew she had people supporting her.”

Becky Avila now lives cancer free and goes about her daily activities normally but never forgot about Pink Heals’ act of kindness that helped her get through a rough patch in her life.

“I am honored to be among those who they took time out of their day to visit,” Avila said.  “I have never met Dr. Benham, but I have had the pleasure to remain in contact with her who, through her selfless giving, schedules events and visits throughout the year. I can truly say that I will never forget this day. It was sunshine during the major storm in my life.”

For more features, read Hoffman overcomes trials, shares Christ with youth.

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @macyyvictoria and via email: Macy Mascarenas.