A pink propane truck turns heads and gets people talking. That’s the goal for Parker Gas Co. Inc. — to raise awareness, and some money, for a cause worthy of that attention.

Parker Gas, based in Clinton, has partnered with the American Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) as part of bringing the nationwide “Fuel for Hope” campaign to eastern North Carolina. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the need for early detection of breast cancer through a network of propane companies across the country who customize a pink truck for deliveries within local communities.

Daren Parker, co-owner of Parker Gas Co., heard about the campaign and jumped at the opportunity. He had seen the pink trucks and wanted to get involved.

“I felt like it was something I wanted to do,” said Parker, whose wife Michelle has been instrumental in the local Relay for Life effort for years. “Several of our employees have been affected by cancer in one way or another. It seems like monthly, you hear about someone getting cancer or dealing with some form of cancer in their family. We all know so many that have been affected by it in some way. We wanted to do something to help the public.”

Family-owned and operated since 1958, Parker Gas has four locations to supply propane to residential, commercial and agricultural customers throughout Sampson, Duplin, Bladen and Cumberland counties. Parker’s pink truck hit the road delivering throughout the area at the end of January.

As part of the campaign, for every gallon of fuel delivered by the truck, Parker will donate one cent to the ABCF. The money will support the Key to Life Breast Cancer Assistance Program, which provides women and men in need with mammograms, biopsies and support services for the detection and treatment of breast cancer. Approximately 8,000 women and men receive services through the Key to Life program each year.

With the pink truck expected to travel more than 20,000 miles per year and deliver at least 500,000 gallons of fuel, that means a $5,000 donation. Parker said the $5,000 donation is the minimum guarantee to participate in the program and he expects the pastel propane truck to exceed half a million gallons, meaning even more money to fight breast cancer.

It is anticipated the truck could deliver upwards of 700,000 gallons this year.

“We’ll make a donation between $5,000 and $7,000 more than likely,” said Parker.

In addition to the money donated, the truck stands as a symbol for a worthwhile cause that has affected so many women and men over the years. Parker knows that. So does Hillary “Ham” Morrisey, who drives the truck.

“It turns a lot of heads,” said Morrisey. “I have some of my friends give me a hard time about it. They’ll say, ‘I can’t believe you drive a pink truck. They can’t pay me enough to drive a pink truck.’”

Morrisey’s own boss even gave him a playful poke.

“I teased him and said he’d have to wear a pink uniform and a pink hat,” said Parker.

Morrisey is willing to take the ribbing from friends because he and Parker know the truck symbolizes much more than hauling gas. Morrisey said he gets waves, thumbs up and a fair share of blown horns his way. One woman recently approached with tears in her eyes. Her mother had died from breast cancer and she was overwhelmed by the gesture of a local gas company.

Parker said the truck had to be painted and customized according to specifications by the ABCF, which were followed closely.

“There was a lot of work in getting it done,” said Parker. “This is not something they do every day.”

It is something that Parker and others hope will make a difference. A national nonprofit, the ABCF provides direct financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured individuals for diagnostic tests to aid in the early detection and survival of breast cancer.

There are more than 1.6 million breast cancer survivors are alive in America today. According to the ABCF, the five-year survival rate after early-stage diagnosis and treatment is over 90 percent. Campaigns such as “Fuel for Hope” go a long way toward increasing public awareness.

“The propane industry provides the American Breast Cancer Foundation with tremendous support through the Fuel for Hope campaign,” said Phyllis Wolf, president of the American Breast Cancer Foundation, “We are honored to have Parker Gas join the campaign. The pink trucks generate a lot of interest and encourages women to get their first or annual mammograms.”

Parker and Morrisey can attest to the amount of interest. In little more than a month, the word of mouth generated has been immense. Parker received a call from a man in another county, who thought he had seen several of the Parker Gas pink trucks.

“He thought we had more than one,” said Parker. “When you see it, you pay a lot of attention to it.”

Morrisey knows that’s true. He’s been behind the wheel. “It really gets your attention,” he said.

While there is only a single pink truck at Parker Gas Co., its co-owner does not rule out adding more.

“That’s the first one we’ve done like that,” he noted. “We have four branches and we’re considering doing it at another one.”

Parker knows the pink truck stands tall as more than just an odd color on a vehicle. It means hope and life.

“We wanted to do something that would benefit the community,” said Parker. “I know many people in our community that have been affected by this disease either directly or indirectly. I felt like this was something that would touch most everyone in some way or another.”

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.