Mileena Painter (left) signs the pink fire truck with members of the Pink Heals Tour. Photo by U. Glidewell

A line of fire trucks and motorcycles cruise down Depot Street to Riverside Fire Station. Some of these fire trucks are not the traditional red, but a bright pink.

The Pink Heals Tour, a non-profit organization that has numerous pink fire trucks, paraded into Riverside fire station on Saturday, March 10. Engines from Riverside Fire, Pell City Fire, and motorcycles from the Red Knights were present to honor and support local 12-year-old girl Mileena Painter and Trevor Moore, a Riverside firefighter, who are both battling cancer.

According to their website, pinkfiretrucks.org, the Pink Heals Tour is a “program that partners with Public Safety, local businesses and families to bring a community together.  It is a program that provides home visits to show individuals that they are loved, cherished and important to others.  Pink Heals brings back the human element by celebrating people, not causes.” 

Mileena’s father, Kevin Painter, is a firefighter at Riverside Fire. Mileena, who was diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia last year, has been collecting firefighter patches to raise awareness and share with other children that are fighting cancer. So far, Mileena has collected thousands of patches from all 50 states and around the world, and plans to make quilts with the patches.

“Thank you everyone for coming out to show your support,” Kevin Painter said. “We have had so much support from friends, family, and even strangers. We couldn’t have made it without you.”

Supporters from Pink Heals, Riverside Fire, Pell City Fire, and the Red Knights lined up to give Mileena hugs, words of encouragement, stuffed animals, gift cards, and of course, firefighter patches and memorabilia.

After the presentation, Mileena was handed a Sharpie and signed both pink fire trucks, which were covered in signatures and positive messages. Friends and family that were present were also given the opportunity to sign the trucks. 

“We still have a long journey,” Kevin Painter said, “but with thoughts, prayers, and God we can get through it.”