Palm Tran ‘Warriors in Pink’ Bus Celebrates Courage, Resilience, Hope

ANAND PERALA
Senior Public Relations Specialist
Palm Tran
West Palm Beach, FL

On January 9, 2024, Kristen Dugan received the diagnosis that changed her life, Stage 2b Triple Negative Breast Cancer. A single mother of three young daughters, she faced months of uncertainty, fear, a double mastectomy, and five months of intensive chemotherapy. Nearly a year later, she stood before thousands at the 30^th annual Susan G. Komen “More Than Pink” Walk in downtown West Palm Beach—not as a patient, but as a survivor and a warrior.

“This event is about survivors sharing stories of resilience and strength,” Dugan said, reflecting on the journey that led her to this moment. She is one of nine breast cancer survivors, dubbed “Warriors in Pink”, featured on this year’s specially wrapped 40-foot Palm Tran bus.

Now in its seventh year, Palm Tran’s “More Than Pink” bus has become a familiar presence at the walk, serving as a moving tribute to those fighting breast cancer and a powerful symbol of hope. Designed by Palm Tran’s award-winning graphic designer in collaboration with Lamar Transit Advertising, this eye-catching bus doubles as a rolling awareness campaign, traveling throughout Palm Beach County as part of Palm Tran’s fixed-route system, where it is seen more than 544,000 times each month.

This year, nine “Warriors in Pink” were given a special preview of the bus on June 21, just a week before the walk, in a heartfelt moment captured by a local TV news crew from WPTV. Before sunrise, the studio door lifted, revealing their portraits, some holding flowers, prominently displayed on the sides of the bus as they stood in excitement. Wrapped in a vibrant pink design, the bus boldly displays “More Than Pink,” with the tagline “Raising Funds for Local Patients in Need” beneath it. Key words—“Research,” “Community,” “Care,” and “Action”—are highlighted in distinct boxes, representing the four pillars of the walk: driving research, providing care, uniting the community, and taking action.

The walk itself, held on January 25, brought together more than 3,000 participants and 244 registered teams, all united in the fight against breast cancer. The mood was electric, as people arrived, greeting each other with hugs, tears, and laughter. Most attendees wore pink, some donning tutus, wigs or elaborate costumes, headdresses, masks, and even a group of stormtroopers. The atmosphere was one of both celebration and remembrance as walkers honored loved ones lost to the disease while uplifting those still in the fight.

“Palm Tran is proud to support the Susan G. Komen Walk and stand alongside the incredible survivors, families, and advocates who are making a difference in the fight against breast cancer,” said Ivan Maldonado, Palm Tran’s Executive Director. “We are honored to play a role in raising awareness throughout Palm Beach County.”

The walk is a key fundraising event for Susan G. Komen, with this year’s efforts already surpassing $360,000 and donations continuing until February 23. Danielle Crouch, development manager for Komen West Palm Beach, emphasized the lasting impact of community support. “Every dollar we raise goes back to Komen’s mission of saving lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer,” she said.

A network of dedicated volunteers supported Crouch, who spent a year planning the event. More than 100 volunteers were onsite the day of the event, ensuring a seamless experience for walkers, while many more contributed behind the scenes throughout the planning process.

With clear skies and brisk weather setting the stage, this year’s milestone walk reinforced the power of community in the fight against breast cancer. As the More Than Pink bus continues its route, it carries not just passengers but the stories of survivors like Kristen Dugan—reminders of resilience, strength, and hope.

Learn more at www.komen.org/wpbwalk.