What's New at Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation

FFCF Attends iWomen Leadership Conference

Updated On: May 04, 2008 (09:36:00)

The FFCF exhibited at the first leadership seminar of the new International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services. Cancer education, awareness, and program benefit information were offered at the event in Glendale, Arizona. An array of guest lecturers inspired fire service leaders from the U.S. and other countries.

iWomen (www.i-Women.org) is the culmination of years of work and recent merger of the Women Chief Fire Officers (WCFO) and the Women in the Fire Service (WFS). The new group supports the worldwide community of fire service women in many ways. They offer print publications, biennial conferences and leadership seminars, and a website full of information about topics relevant to fire service women.

We appreciate the opportunity to attend the groundbreaking event and are pleased to support iWomen to advance benefits and research for the women of the fire service globally.

Minority Cancer Awareness Week

Updated On: Apr 25, 2008 (19:24:00)

Advocates in Action... From the American Cancer Society

Posted: 25 Apr 2008 11:26 AM CDT

Friday brings to an end National Minority Cancer Awareness Week – a campaign first initiated by Congress in 1987 to bring awareness to the higher incidence rates of cancer in the racial and ethnic minority communities.

Colorectal cancer is a disease that has a greater mortality rate among minorities, especially within the African American and Hispanic communities.

Colorectal cancer will claim over 52,000 lives in 2008, making it the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. When Americans are screened according the American Cancer Society guidelines and diagnosed early, they have a 90% survival rate. Sadly, the truth is that fewer than 40% of patients are appropriately screened. One major reason for low screening rates is the lack of coverage for screenings and treatment.

If the majority of Americans age 50 or older were screened regularly for colorectal cancer, the death rate from this disease could fall by up to 80 percent.

The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act of 2007 (HR 1738) would establish a screening and treatment program administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and would authorize funding for grants to the states. The grants would be used to conduct programs to provide vital colon cancer screenings, information and follow-up services to those ages 50-64, with a focus on those most at risk, such as low-income, uninsured and underinsured men and women.

Take Action today and write your Members of Congress urging them to support this critical legislation.

For more resource information on minority cancer, please visit our Health & Wellness "Cancer Feature of the Month"

Cancer Foundation and MagneGrip Join Forces

Updated On: Apr 25, 2008 (19:35:00)

The Cancer Foundation and MagneGrip Group are working together to help extinguish firefighter cancer. The Foundation provides education to alert firefighters to the cancer-causing exposures in their occupation, and it advocates for cancer research and presumptive legislation. It also helps active and retired firefighters who have cancer by providing resource information and assistance during treatment.

The MagneGrip Group, a leader in providing 100% effective exhaust extraction systems and air purification systems for firehouses, provides support for the Foundation's programs. This partnership will help firefighters benefit from the Foundation's work and take preventive measures to reduce cancer risks that are prevalent in their occupation.

Through this partnership, we provide our members with a home air purification unit to reduce chance of infection during cancer treatment. The "Exhaust Cancer" campaign is being written to educate and assist the fire service with information about diesel exhaust and its link to cancer. Please check back for this program that will be available soon!

FDIC Success

Posted On: Apr 24, 2008 (12:53:53)

The Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation launched its innaugural exhibit at the FDIC event in Indianapolis. It was an overwhelming success that included the presentation of two new partner programs with the MagneGrip Group and MyRapidMD (ESP).

The week included participation in a variety of fire service networking and educational events. Most importantly, we were able to connect with a number of fire service professionals in need of cancer assistance that ranged from education and research to access to our many service programs.

We wish to thank those that stopped by our booth and especially those that took the time to share their special stories with us. It is through your experiences that we continue to grow and improve our program!

Fire Fighter Cancer Advocate Leaves Legacy for Others

Updated On: Mar 19, 2008 (01:13:00)

It is with great sorrow and regret that we announce the passing of Boston Lt. Robert T. Kilduff of Local 718. Also known as "Bob" or "BK", he worked tirelessly to advance the health, safety, and work conditions for Boston and Massachussetts fire fighters and as a result, improved the fire service nationally. He was a vocal cancer advocate up to his death from occupational cancer.

Our thoughts and prayers are with BK's family, friends, and our brother and sister fire fighters of Boston and Massachussetts. Below is the announcement from the Local 718 website:

"Boston Fire fighters are dedicated to the advancement of the moral, economic, and social standing of the members of the Boston Fire Department in keeping with the dignity of their heroic calling."

Local 718 regrets to announce the death of
Vice President of Boston Firefighters Local 718 &
PFFM Legislative Rep.,
Brother Robert “Bob” Kilduff, Ladder 23

We will miss him… Brother Kilduff Died in The Line of Duty from Occupational Cancer
He accomplished so much for so many

All off duty members are to report in front of the Church in Class A uniforms 9:30 am

KILDUFF, Robert T. “Bob”of Canton, March 13, 2008, (B.F.D. Lieutenant Ladder Co. 23) beloved husband of Joanne M. (Black) Loving father of Robert, Jr. (B.F.D. Rescue Co. 2) and his wife Robin of West Roxbury, Shannon Kilduff and her fiancé Troy Fickett of Canton, beloved son of the late Vincent Kilduff (Retired B.F.D.) and Leila Kilduff of Milton, brother of Vincent Kilduff and his wife Danielle of San Jose, CA, and Christine Bianculli and her husband Joseph, of Milton. Adoring “Gramps”to Hanna Jane and Mason Patrick Kilduff. Funeral from the William J. Gormley Funeral Home 2055 Centre St. WEST ROXBURY, Wednesday March 19, at 8:30 am, followed by a funeral Mass in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, 1400 Washington St., Boston at 10 o’clock. Visiting hours Monday and Tuesday 2-8 pm. Relatives and friends invited. Interment Fairview Cemetery, Hyde Park. Vice President Boston Fire Fighters Local 718, IAFF, Legislative Agent, Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts. Late Member Boston Fire Fighters Local 718, Boston Fire Fighters Charitable Assn., Boston Fireman’s Relief Assn., Boston Fire Fighters Death and Welfare Fund, Charter Member Boston Gaelic Fire Brigade; Founder Boston Fire Fighters Local 718 Children’s Fund. Veteran United States Navy, Late Member American Legion Post 150 Mechanic Falls, ME. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boston Fire Fighters Local 718 Children’s Fund, c/o Boston Fire Fighters Credit Union 60 Hallet St., Dorchester, MA 02124. For directions and guestbook www.gormleyfuneral.com

Please read "Don't Be Me" from BK

Our Mission