RFD T-shirt sales fund breast screenings

Every year from August through October, the Russellville Fire Department takes it in hand to help save lives in very different way than by fighting fires. In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, the RFD is again doing its part to raise money to help women in the community receive much-needed health and wellness screenings.

The RFD will kick-off its annual breast cancer awareness T-shirt sale Aug. 18 at the Watermelon Festival in downtown Russellville, with a booth across from First Baptist Church. For $15 for a short sleeve shirt or $20 for long sleeve, supporters will help benefit a special fund set up at Russellville Hospital that allows women, who meet certain qualifications, to receive free mammograms or ultrasound screenings.

This year, RFD will place an initial T-shirt order Sept. 18, and shirts will arrive by Oct. 1. From mid-September into October, RFD’s Rhett Bradford said the department will continue taking orders throughout the week and placing an order each weekend.

“We can’t order the shirts unless they have been paid for in advance,” Bradford emphasized. The RFD can accept cash or check; checks should be made out to RFA.

Bradford said this fundraiser is just another way for the department to help the community they serve. “This is the only option for some of these women. If they don’t have this (money for screenings) they could go without knowing (whether they might have cancer),” Bradford said.

Last year’s sales raised $1,630. “It doesn’t go anywhere outside this area. It stays here and helps people here,” Bradford reiterated.

This year’s T-shirts are navy with an American flag-inspired design on the back.

For more information about qualifying for the special free screenings made possible by the RFD, call 256-332-8688.