Firefighter Cancer Support Network Fundraiser Raises $10,000

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Providing support, education and legislative advocacy for first responders with cancer is the mission of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), and on October 9, 2008, more than 400 people gathered at the Firefighter Cancer Support Network's 1st Annual Gala Dinner and Fundraiser to raise money for this important work. Founded by Mike Dubron, a firefighter with the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Air Operations Division and a survivor of colorectal cancer, this organization has been in existence since 2005, helping firefighters and their families fight, cope with, and defeat cancer.

After being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2003, Mike Dubron received support and encouragement from fellow firefighters who had also fought cancer battles. People like Firefighter/Paramedic Fred Chavez, a member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Air Operations Division and a leukemia survivor, rallied around Dubron giving him and his family support and knowledge about how to get through the ordeal. After beating his cancer, Dubron felt strongly that the help that Chavez and others gave him was something that he wanted to give to others, and so in 2005, he formed the Firefighter Cancer Support Network calling on his friends and colleagues to help him help others.

The initial focus of the organization was to provide support to cancer-stricken firefighters and their families across the United States; however, this soon turned into something more. According to Dubron, "We formed the organization which started out being solely on a support issue, and now we're really reaching into the education and legislative efforts to help protect firefighters." As part of their support efforts, the FCSN maintains a list of members who have had personal experience with several different types of cancer who are available to help current cancer patients and their families through the process of coping with and fighting their illness. They also assist in directing patients and families to other cancer support programs, such as fire service organizations, fire service chaplains and various health services. On the education front, they are actively promoting awareness about the importance of cancer prevention and screening. Given the levels of carcinogens that they are exposed to as part of their job, screening is especially critical for firefighters. The FCSN is also working with other groups regarding important legislative measures. They have partnered with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, American Cancer Society, International Association of Firefighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Los Angeles County Firefighters Local 1014, and various businesses and organizations to achieve their goals of support, education and legislative action.

One major supporter of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network and advocate for cancer education in the fire service is Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder, the Chairperson of the International Association of Fire Chief's Safety and Health board and the founder of Firefighter Close Calls. An attendee at the October Gala, Goldfeder explained, "We loose 100 firefighters a year in the line of duty. The unknown line of duty death is cancer. Firefighters, even at our best when fully protected, are exposed to so much more than the general public, obviously. Unfortunately, we still have to go in and do our jobs. The premiere organization in the nation to educate firefighters on cancer is the Firefighter Cancer Support Network. That's why we're here tonight to support what they're doing, raising money for that education process."

For his efforts in promoting the network and for his cancer education advocacy, Goldfeder was awarded the "Dallas Jones Memorial Award" at the FCSN's Gala. Carol Ramnarine, the organization's Wellness Director and Secretary of its Board of Directors, was also recognized for her tireless work for the FCSN. This Multiple Myeloma survivor was given the "Spirit of Debbi Wood" award for all that she has done for those who have come to the FCSN in their time of need.

The benefit was a great success, raising over $10,000. The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Los Angeles newsman Rick Chambers,an anchorman for the KCAL9 news station and friend of the foundation. The headliner for the event was Jay Leno, who performed a monolog and auctioned off several items, including firefighter helmets signed by Barack Obama, John McCain, Sarah Palin and Jay Leno, himself. Mike Dubron was very happy with the turnout and he says the organization plans on expanding it next year, hosting gala dinners in Los Angeles and New York. Plans for other locations are also under consideration. Dubron and the FCSN Board of Directors are also working on extending the reach of their assistance worldwide, making the Firefighter Cancer Support Network an international organization.

For more information on the Firefighter Cancer Support Network or to make a donation to this worthy cause, please visit www.firefightercancersupport.org.

To watch a video story about Code 3 for a Cure, a California-based foundation that is also working to assist firefighters battling cancer, click here.

REPORTER:  Barbara Brooks for FDNNTV.com  PHOTOJOURNALIST:  James Salazar for FDNNTV.com   

Additional photographs provided by the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.