Colleagues of a Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service dispatcher who died of breast cancer held a simple ceremony at the Hamilton Fire Station yesterday to remember their friend and bring more awareness to the disease.

Donna Hendrickson served as an emergency dispatcher with the BFRS from 2003 until her passing this year.

Janaé Foley, a dispatch supervisor and an organiser of yesterday’s event, said Ms Hendrickson had breast cancer diagnosed about 16 years ago.

She said Ms Hendrickson was one of the first civilian dispatchers to be recruited by the BFRS in 2003.

Ms Foley said: “She was very passionate about her job and the community.

“She loved to cook and in the first half of her career she could be found in the kitchen cooking up meals for her shift mates.

“She was also famous for sharing shortcuts on how to make certain meals.”

Bernette Burcher, a dispatcher who started out in the BFRS with Ms Hendrickson, said she had a major influence in her life, both professionally and personally.

Ms Burcher took part in many breast cancer awareness walks with Ms Hendrickson and has pledged to continue doing the walks annually.

Kim Campbell, another of Ms Hendrickson’s colleagues from 2003, recalled her as being her “go-to support system” during her own cancer journey in 2018.

Ms Campbell said she was inspired by her colleague, who guided her towards the right resources and selflessly gave her time and support.

Ms Foley said that after Ms Hendrickson’s second bout of treatment for breast cancer, she decided to start a “pink shirt” initiative.

She requested permission for the staff at BFRS to wear the shirts as part of their uniform in October for breast cancer awareness, and in 2013 the scheme began with a donation to charity.

Ms Foley said: “It has become very important for us to do this exercise, first of all to support her journey with breast cancer.

“But now because she has passed away, it is really more important for us to carry on the tradition and remember her.”

Dressed in pink tops with “EMD Hendrickson” printed on the sleeves, the BFRS team gathered in front of the fire station yesterday and reflected on the event’s significance.

The get-together was held as Breast Cancer Awareness Month drew to a close.

Ms Foley said: “We’ve had a few different designs but we kind of settled on this one this year and we put Ms Hendrickson’s name on the sleeves in memory of her.”

Ms Foley added: “We had the fire dispatch operations division, fire prevention, training, the administration section and also the airport division and so everyone who usually participates came out.”

A donation will also be given to charity this year in memory of Ms Hendrickson.

Ms Foley said the fire service plans to continue the initiative annually.