On Jan. 7, Palm Tran, partnering with Susan G. Komen South Florida and Lamar Transit Advertising, rolled out its 2016 breast cancer awareness pink bus at the Lake Pavilion on Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach. Guest speakers included Commissioner Priscilla A. Taylor, Dayve Gabbard, executive director of Susan G. Komen South Florida, and Palm Tran Executive Director Clinton B. Forbes.
The bus theme this year is “Local faces of breast cancer from diagnosis to wellness.” One side of the vehicle features photos of Palm Beach County breast cancer survivors. On the other side are local breast cancer health care practitioners. Many of those pictured on the bus were present for the unveiling, including Mary Goolsby and her daughter, Christine Southwarth. “Three times for me, one time for her,” said Goolsby.
About 1 percent of breast cancer patients are men. Jay Riegelhaupt, who was diagnosed in 2009, said he is healthy now thanks to early detection. “I owe everything to my wife. She was the one who noticed the lump and said to get it checked out right away,” he said.
The colorful bus will be used on major Palm Tran routes through April in support of the fight against breast cancer. The vehicle will also be staged at the Komen South Florida Race for the Cure in downtown West Palm Beach on Jan. 30.
“If we can save just one life through this increased awareness, then we will have more than recouped our investment,” Forbes told the gathering.
For this partnership, Palm Tran provided the space on the bus while the cost of the bus wrap was funded by Susan G. Komen South Florida, Lamar Advertising, Good Samaritan Cancer Institute, and Florida Cancer Specialists.
