FOLEY, Ala. — Three-year-old Shelby Byrd of Bon Secour received quite a surprise last week at FoleyCity Hall as Guardians of the Ribbon-Lower Alabama Chapter unveiled a pink police car bearing her name.

Earlier this year, the city of Foley declared a Foley Police car as surplus and donated it to the organization. Last week, Guardians representatives were joined by Byrd and her family, along Foley city leaders and members of Foley PD and Foley Fire Department for the unveiling of the transformed vehicle.

”We appreciate the city of Foley,” said Guardians secretary/treasurer Eddie McDonald.

“Shelby” is the chapter’s second vehicle designed to be a tool to raise awareness and funds for women of all ages battling cancer.

“Not just breast cancer,” McDonald stressed. “Any woman of any age who is affected by any type of cancer.”

“Shelby” was christened by Byrd, who was diagnosed with lombastic leukemia. She signed her name in permanent ink on the driver-side door.

McDonald said the organization’s first vehicle is Cindy, a pink fire truck donated by Orange Beach Fire Department.

“She was named after an OrangeBeach firefighter’s wife,” he said. “She passed away from breast cancer five years ago.”

These vehicles help Guardians in their mission.

“Our mission is to change the way people think,” McDonald said, explaining that Guardians strives to help people raise and keep cancer-related funds in their own communities. “To go back to taking care of our own.”

The all-volunteer organization carries out that mission in a variety of ways, including taking cancer patients to treatment. The vehicles also help lift the spirits of a woman afflicted with cancer.

“We will respond to her house like we’re going to a fire,” McDonald said, explaining that the fire truck or police car, with lights on and sirens blaring, transports that patient to chemo or other care.

But that’s not all. Guardians take the vehicles to events all over the South to further awareness of their mission.

“We’re the only chapter in the state of Alabama,” McDonald said of the national organization. “We’re the only chapter west of Tallahassee, east of Texas and south of Memphis.”

For more information, visit PinkFireTrucks.org, email pinkhealsalabama@mail.com or find them at Facebook.com/guaridansoftheribbon-loweralabamachapter.