The 10th annual Firetruck Pull supported by the Columbia-Richland Fire Department once again made great strides in the fight to end childhood cancers.
More than $26,000 was raised at the competition on Saturday, April 1, 2023 as 21 teams of competitors tried their luck pulling CRFD fire engines. Every dollar will go to support Curing Kids Cancer and its ongoing work funding pediatric cancer research and care at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Midlands.
“It was wonderful to once again see all the excitement and passion on display surrounding this event,” said Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins, “This friendly competition supports a wonderful cause and our department is proud that we can provide the resources to make it happen. I’m also proud of our firefighters and all in the community that come out each year to pull for cures.”
“We are so grateful for the community of Columbia for coming out and supporting these child cancer warriors,” said Grainne Owen, who is the co-founder and president of Curing Kids Cancer, “Together we can make a difference.”
Winners in the competition are determined by seeing who can pull a 14,000-pound fire engine the fastest over a distance of about 50 feet. Teams of all male or mixed male and female competitors are allowed to have up to 10 participants. An all-female team is allowed to have up to 12 participants. Each team that takes part pulls in honor or in memory of a child that has been touched by cancer.
‘Curing Kids Cancer’ organizes events and campaigns to raise funds for pediatric cancer research and treatment at healthcare facilities across the country. In 2022 more than $19,000 was raised at the Firetruck Pull in Columbia and all of those funds went to support the Gamecock Curing Kids Cancer $1.2 million endowment to the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders Clinic at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Midlands. Funds are raised at the competition through team registrations and donations as well as corporate sponsorships for the event.
The Columbia-Richland Fire Department congratulates all of our winners from the 2023 Firetruck Pull!
- Fastest 10-Person Team: The University of South Carolina’s Swimming & Diving Team
- Fastest 12-Person Team: The University of South Carolina’s Tennis Team
- Top Fundraising Team: Lexington Fit Body Boot Camp
- Best Dressed Team: Colin’s Heroes
Columbia police officers and firefighters
competed head to head at this year’s Firetruck Pull
