City of Brantford launches fully wrapped cancer awareness bus to promote early detection of breast and prostate cancer

BRANTFORD, ON: The City of Brantford is proud to unveil a fully wrapped Brantford Transit bus dedicated to promoting breast and prostate cancer awareness and encouraging residents to prioritize early detection and regular screening. Inspired by local cancer advocate Brandi Lee Franklin and her Mission Possible: Paint the Town Pink campaign, the colourful transit bus will travel throughout the city for the next year, carrying powerful messages about the importance of early detection for both breast and prostate cancer.

The initiative stems from a Notice of Motion brought forward by Deputy Mayor of External Relations and Councillor Rose Sicoli, which was later amended by Councillor Greg Martin to include prostate cancer awareness. While the original Council-approved funding of $30,000 would have supported advertising and production costs for breast cancer messaging on one side of a bus during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and prostate cancer messaging during November, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the City's advertising vendor, StreetSeen, partnered with the City to provide significant added value, whereby a fully wrapped bus featuring both awareness campaigns will remain on the road for an entire year.

"Brandi's courage, determination and commitment to raising awareness inspired this initiative," said Councillor Rose Sicoli. "When I brought this motion forward, my goal was to help amplify an important message that could save lives. Seeing this bus travel through every corner of our city serves as a reminder that early detection matters and that our community stands behind those impacted by cancer."

Councillor Greg Martin said the expanded campaign reflects the importance of raising awareness for cancers that affect residents and families across the community. "Early detection can make all the difference," said Martin. "I was pleased to amend the motion to include prostate cancer awareness so that this campaign reaches and helps even more people."

Franklin launched Mission Possible: Paint the Town Pink in 2023 following a diagnosis of an aggressive form of breast cancer. Since then, she has become a powerful voice for awareness, advocacy and support for cancer patients in Brantford and beyond.

"The first year I walked from house to house and store to store asking people to display pink ribbons I had handmade," said Brandi Lee Franklin. "I wanted to spread love, unity and awareness in the community. To see that message now represented on a city bus is truly incredible." Franklin said the campaign is ultimately about encouraging people to take action when it comes to their health.

The bus features bold pink and blue designs representing breast and prostate cancer awareness, alongside the message "Early Detection Can Make the Difference” and directs residents to trusted national resources where they can learn more about cancer screening, risk factors and early detection.

The City of Brantford extends its sincere appreciation to StreetSeen for its partnership and generosity in enhancing the campaign's reach and impact for residents.

Photo Caption 1 - From left to right: Nicole Wilmot, Commissioner of Community Development, Rose Sicoli, Deputy Mayor of External Relations and City Councillor, Judy Moore, Commissioner of Corporate Services, Councillor Mandy Samwell, Brandi Lee Franklin, Councillor Richard Carpenter, Mary Musson, Commissioner of Community Services and Social Development

Photo Caption 2 - From left to right: Councillor Greg Martin, Councillor Richard Carpenter, Mary Musson, Commissioner of Community Services and Social Development, Judy Moore, Commissioner of Corporate Services, Councillor Mandy Samwell, Brandi Lee Franklin, Rose Sicoli, Deputy Mayor of External Relations and City Councillor, Nicole Wilmot, Commissioner of Community Development

-30-

Media Contact:

City of Brantford Communications and Community Engagement
519-759-4150 | communications@brantford.ca   

The City of Brantford Newsroom
Subscribe to News Alerts | City of Brantford Website
© City of Brantford, 58 Dalhousie Street, Brantford.