This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, one jockey truck driver at the Georgia Ports Authority will be driving with a little extra pride.

Several new TICO trucks wrapped in new pink decals have a very personal meaning for GPA Equipment Operator Ebony Linton.

At age 38, she was under the recommended age to receive a mammogram at her doctor’s office.

But as a GPA employee, she had access to the St. Joseph’s/Candler mobile mammography unit at work and decided to give it a try. It was a life-saving decision.

“I thank God every day for the mammogram bus that the port sends out here for us, because if I didn’t go get on that bus I might not be here today,” Linton said.

According to the American Cancer Society, there is a 1 in 8 chance women in the United States will develop breast cancer.

About 297,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women this year alone. Thankfully, early detection greatly increases the chance of a positive outcome.

After more than a year of chemotherapy and surgeries, Linton is now a proud breast cancer survivor and is quick to encourage others to get screened too.

She’ll have a boost in sharing that message thanks to a new pink jockey trucks from TICO.

This week, Georgia Ports, TICO, and Gateway Terminals leaders gathered on Garden City Terminal’s newly renovated Container Berth 1 in Savannah to celebrate the first truck’s arrival.

After posing for group photos with the new truck, Ebony jumped into the cab to take it for a spin. She said it’s going to feel good sharing her inspirational message on the terminal each day.

“This is going to show people that breast cancer is serious but it’s not a death sentence. I’m proof of that,” Ebony added.

TICO Executive Vice President Duncan Pindar said he thought to wrap the trucks after having lunch with colleagues who overcame breast cancer.

He decided to include the phrase “No One Fights Alone” along the chassis for added inspiration.

“Everyone is fighting a battle we don’t know about, and I just wanted show others that we’re in this together,” he said.

Pindar shared the plan to wrap the trucks with GPA Vice President of Operations Susan Gardner, a recent breast cancer survivor herself who was moved by the idea.

“It’s very touching that people want to support a cause that is very personal to me now,” she said. “This speaks volumes to our partnerships and relationships here at the Georgia Ports.”

In addition to promoting breast cancer awareness on terminal, company leaders also used the occasion to make an impact for cancer care.

GPA, TICO, and Gateway Terminal officials each presented St. Joseph’s/Candler representatives with $2,500 checks to support breast cancer treatment and research at the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion in Savannah.

“We are so grateful to Georgia Ports, TICO and Gateway Terminals for this generous donation, and it will go a long way to help cancer treatment and access to treatment,” said Vernice Rackett, Executive Director of the St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations.

“In fact, it was donations just like these that allowed the health system to purchase the advanced mobile mammography unit that helped diagnose these inspiring ladies. With support like this from the community, St. Joseph’s/Candler will continue to advance cancer care in the region and give those who need it easier access to help,” she added.

For more information about breast cancer screening and treatment, visit: www.cancer.org