By William Newland
Cancer adversely affects the lives of many, but firefighters have higher occurrence rates for many types of cancer when compared with the general population. Firefighters have come to accept this one of the many risks associated with firefighting. In my discussions with non-firefighters, I am amazed to find that the average person has no knowledge of this added risk to firefighters. Throughout my career as a professional firefighter, I have experienced the loss of family, friends, and fellow firefighters to cancer. Since my retirement, I have become painfully aware that cancer rates are rising instead of falling, so I formed an organization to help reverse that trend.
The Retired Professional Fire Fighters Cancer Fund Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization committed to raising funds for cancer research programs, was established In January 2007. The fund will seek to support research for the following types of cancer: lung, bladder, brain, kidney, colorectal, testicular, breast, multiple myeloma, and non-hodgkins lymphoma. These specific types have been targeted because occurrence rates for these cancers are two to four times greater among firefighters when compared to the general population. However, all research knowledge pertaining to “firefighter cancers” will be benefit everyone since these same cancers also occur across the general population.
The fund relies on an impartial board of medical professionals to review all cancer research programs seeking financial support. Funds will be dispersed to established research programs that show the most promise in accomplishing our goals. Fundraising efforts are focused on forming partnerships with firefighter unions, retired firefighter organizations, union and trade organizations, businesses, and individuals willing to support our efforts in the fight against cancer.
To date, over forty states and six Canadian provinces have passed presumptive cancer legislation through the untiring efforts of union lobbyists. As a former union president, I was among those lobbying for presumptive cancer legislation, but did not see that goal achieved in New York until many years later. Presumptive legislation is extremely important and lobbyists are to be commended. However, these laws do not improve early cancer detection or treatment programs or make strides toward a cure, which will only come about through more research.
Through the generosity of our supporters, I believe we can make significant strides to reduce cancer rates among firefighters and eventually cure cancer. I am aided in this endeavor by seven additional board members who donate their time and talent and all have ties to the fire service. As a retired career professional firefighter, I know firsthand that firefighters have a long history of caring, giving, and conducting successful fundraisers for a number of deserving causes. I ask that you join us in supporting this deserving cause.
As professional firefighters, we comprise the profession most adversely affected by the ravages of cancer. Therefore, I pose a challenge to firefighters to step forward and also take a lead in generating the financial support necessary for additional cancer research programs. The American Cancer Society receives over one thousand requests annually from researchers seeking funds to conduct cancer research, but limited funds permit them to only support 10% of the requests. The Retired Professional Fire Fighters Cancer Fund Inc. aims to significantly increase the percentage of established cancer research programs that receive financial support. Help us in our quest to lower cancer rates for fire fighters and eradicate this pervasive disease. The life you save may be your own.
If you know of someone who has succumbed to cancer and would like to memorialize them with a donation, or if you or your group would like to make a contribution as an investment for a better future, visit The Retired Professional Fire Fighters Cancer Fund Inc. online at www.letsfirecancer.org or mail a check payable to The Retired Professional Fire Fighters Cancer Fund Inc. to 4 Loretta Drive, Binghamton, New York 13905. Your donations are tax deductible. The fund’s Web site provides secure online donation capability and I encourage visitors to the Web site to sign the “Guest Book” and share their thoughts. I also invite correspondence about the fund by email at letsfirecancer@aol.com or to the above address.
Members of the Board
William Newland, Chairman/President, Retired Firefighter I.A.F.F. Local 729 (Binghamton, N.Y.)
James Ennis, Board Member/Vice President, Active Firefighter/Union President I.A.F.F. Local 280 (Syracuse, N.Y.)
Reverend Corey VanKuren, Board Member/Treasurer, Pastor St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church/Assistant Chaplin Binghamton, N.Y. Fire Department. Manager Pastoral Care United Health Services Hospitals (Binghamton, N.Y.)
Patricia Newland, Board Member/Secretary, Professor Emeritus Broome Community College (Binghamton, N.Y.)
John Janos, Board member, Active Firefighter/Union President I.A.F.F. Local 729 (Binghamton, N.Y.)
Harry Smith, Board Member, retired Fire Captain I.A.F.F. Local 729 (Binghamton, N.Y. – currently residing in Green Valley, AZ.)
Eugene Faughnan, Board member/Attorney at Law., Partner in the firm of Hinman, Howard & Kattell (Binghamton, N.Y.)
Patrick Eggleston, Board Member, Active Firefighter I.A.F.F. 729. Former Local 729 Union President. (Binghamton, N.Y.) Former District Vice President, New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association.
William H. Newland is the founder of The Retired Professional Fire Fighters Cancer Fund Inc. He serves as the Chairman of the Fund and President of the Board. Newland was an active member of I.A.F.F. Local 729 (Binghamton, N.Y.) for over twenty-three years. During that time he served on Local 729’s Executive Board for thirteen years, which included six years as Union President. Newland retired from the fire department in 2001.
