By FireRescue1 Staff
SCOTT MILLS, Ore. — A firefighter who was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer is pushing for more cancer testing and awareness within fire departments.
KOIN.com reported that Ron Bielenberg, a 23-year veteran with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, was told by doctors that his cancer was likely caused by exposure to carcinogens.
When doctors found the tumor, it was the size of a baseball. Bielenberg immediately started radiation and chemotherapy. However, the cancer later spread into his brain and lymph nodes.
“I’m just staying positive,” Bielenberg said. “You know, life is what it is.”
His wife, Cheryl, said there needs to “be more testing done for firefighters. We shouldn’t send these people, who are so willing to risk their lives, into these buildings if we’re not going to take care of them afterward.”
Bielenberg said there was little cancer awareness when he first became a firefighter.
“There was very little cancer screening or, you know, how to prevent cancer,” he said. “When 60 percent of your deaths are from cancer, and not roofs falling in, then maybe 60 percent of your training should be directed toward cancer.”
Bielenberg said he hopes his story “saves more lives so that people can spend time with their family.”