Trending Topics

Non-profit to bring cancer screenings to Texas firefighters

Adopt a Firefighter is working to fund cancer detection among firefighters in three cities

By Bill Carey
FireRescue1

DALLAS — In the Medical District of Dallas, Cancer Check Labs is leading a project to detect cancer early in firefighters.

A new 501(c)(3) non-profit, Adopt a Firefighter, is launching in Dallas, Highland Park, and Park Cities. They will donate $2.5 million worth of tests, allowing 1,000 firefighters to screen for free, WFAA reported.

Cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters.


FRCE’s Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance spotlighted four efforts to minimize occupational cancer risks

The non-profit is also raising funds to provide an additional 1,000 tests, ensuring coverage for every firefighter in the three departments.

“The key to catching cancer is to catch it early,” said Cancer Check Labs founder and CEO Sumit Rai.

Retired Dallas Deputy Chief Daniel DeYear was among seven firefighters who visited Cancer Check Labs for blood tests. Their results will be available in a few weeks.

“If you test all 2,000 firefighters in Dallas tomorrow, I promise you will have hundreds of positive tests,” DeYear said.

The president of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network – who just worked the Super Bowl – considers similarities between preparing for big events and preventing the Big C
Trending
A 16-year-old shot his way into Silver Rail Elementary with a shotgun purchased by his mother before being fatally shot by a bystander, marking the 28th mass killing in the U.S. this year
Lt. Michael England, recovering from surgery after suffering burns and a broken leg in a flashover, says he entered the burning home believing people could be trapped
Symeon Williams’ family alleges a cover-up after the city withheld investigative records, as attorneys dispute whether video of the training incident exists
The wall, funded by probationary firefighter Haley Sato through a coin-selling campaign honoring instructor Idris Bey, honors 20 EMS members who died in the line of duty or from World Trade Center-related illnesses