Pink barge “Big Hope 1” promotes cancer research on first visit to Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor

PORTAGE, Ind., (February 19, 2018) – The Port of Indiana Burns Harbor welcomes a unique visitor today. Big Hope 1, a bright pink barge owned by Ceres Barge Line, makes its first appearance at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor travelling from the Tulsa Port of Catoosa up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to reach the port. The barge’s cargo – a large storage tank measuring 171 feet in length and 342,000 pounds bound for a refinery in the Midwest – is being unloaded by port stevedore Federal Marine Terminals (FMT).

Big Hope 1 has generated more than $861,000 in donations to Mary Crowley Cancer Research since its launch in 2012. The mission of Mary Crowley Cancer Research is to expand treatment options for all cancer patients through investigational vaccine, gene, and cellular therapies. Ceres Barge Line employee, Vince Schu and his wife Julie, conceived Big Hope 1 to bring cancer awareness to the shipping industry as they both have family members affected by cancer.

“‘Big Hope 1’ was built by Ceres Barge and painted pink for cancer awareness,” said Vince Schu. “She launched in 2012 from Jeff Boat in Jeffersonville, Ind., after she received her pink paint, which was donated by Sherwin Williams. Since then, the barge has been traveling the inland waterways raising funds and awareness for cancer research.

“The money is used to help offset costs for patients receiving clinical testing,” he added. “The name ‘Big Hope’ was selected as most of the patients at Mary Crowley have some type of stage 4 cancer and this is their last hope for treatment. Mary Crowley Cancer Research creates a medicine based on patients’ individual DNA and cancer type. They have made great strides and with continued support may someday find a cure.”

Both FMT and the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor contributed a portion of the revenues generated by the shipment to Mary Crowley Cancer Research.

“It’s an honor to have Big Hope 1 at our port,” said Burns Harbor Port Director Ian Hirt. “We are proud to help promote awareness and support for this important cancer research effort.”

.