City of Talladega Blog

(Talladega, AL) City of Talladega employees donned pink clothing and took a 1/2 mile Breast Cancer Awareness Month Walk on October 25, 2024. Many participants carried pink balloons and signs expressing their support for individuals with breast cancer.

“By promoting breast cancer awareness, we can help save lives and encourage early detection,” said City Manager Derrick Swanson. “I believe it is important to promote prevention and early detection while also supporting employees who have been diagnosed with cancer and other serious illnesses.”

Talladega Fire Department B Shift Captain Dewayne Harry agrees.  He was close friends with veteran firefighter Gary Lee Hunter, who passed away in April as a result of lung cancer.  When Hunter retired due to his medical condition, Talladega firefighters threw him a party to show how much they appreciated him. Captain Harry believes the support Hunter received from his fellow firefighters made a difference. 

“I worked with Lee for 18 years.  He was a great, great guy and a great friend.  He always had a smile on his face. When he giggled, it made everyone happy.  He loved to talk about his kids and his family, and he never let lung cancer get him down,” said Captain Harry, who added that firefighters on his shift are like family because they work together so closely for such long hours. 

Captain Harry is pleased that City of Talladega employees are coming together in support of Breast Cancer Awareness and exploring additional ways to promote wellness and support employees facing health challenges.

Employees participating in the walk began with a warmup at Talladega City Hall, strolled past Talladega Bottling Works, Alabama Consumer Law Practice, LMO & Co., and First Methodist Church, and proceeded on to Bradford Street, to Court Street and back to City Hall. 

Cancer resources were also distributed during the city's first-ever Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.