CANMORE – Not content with just putting out fires and providing emergency medical care, Canmore Fire-Rescue took on a new challenge last month – helping find a cure for breast cancer.
Firefighter Bradley Johnson began a pink shirt fundraising campaign at the beginning of October, a first for the department.
“I had the dream and the thought process for a while,” said Johnson.
Firefighters purchased custom-designed Canmore Fire-Rescue pink shirts, and then donated money for each shift they wore the shirt.
In previous years, the International Association of Fire Fighters spearheaded breast cancer awareness and fundraising campaigns throughout North America in October, but didn’t run a large campaign this year.
“I didn’t want it to fall off the wayside for us completely,” Johnson said.
“I figured it was a good time to step out and actually – actually – put it all together.”
Cancer is one of the most serious hazards firefighters face, with the lifetime risk ranging from one-and-a-half to two-times more than the general population in North America for developing the disease.
It is also the second leading cause of death amongst firefighters.
“There is no escaping cancer in our line of work,” he said.
Deputy Fire Chief Keri Martens said the plan next year is to expand upon the department’s efforts.
“We want to make it a yearly thing,” she said.
Martens said members were really excited about taking part in the pink shirt campaign.
“It was kind of neat and fun to wear a pink shirt for a while instead of all blue all the time,” she said.
The total raised by wearing the shirts was almost $600 over the month, with firefighters putting in $1 for every shift they wore the pink shirts on duty.
