I will be gearing up to run my 17th overall and 10th Boston Marathon (one remote) in support of a Great Charity, The Boston Firefighter's Relief Fund. Following the Great Fire of 1872, the Boston Firefighters’ Relief Fund was established by the citizens of Boston to assist firefighters and their families in times of personal need. And now, for nearly 150 years, the Boston Firefighters’ Relief Fund has continued their support of the Department’s active and retired members. The Boston Firefighters’ Relief Fund hosts the Annual Ball and Awards Ceremony every year during late spring. Additionally, the Relief Fund takes part in other activities throughout the year that enhance and support the mission of the Boston Fire Department.
Over the past decade, heart disease and cancer have accounted for the majority of on-duty firefighter deaths. In Boston specifically, between 2012 and 2017, 27 Boston Firefighters under the age of 70 died from cancer. During that same time, 12 firefighters died of cancer within 5 years of retirement and 6 active firefighters died from cancer. These statistics are alarming and require action.
Cancer awareness and prevention has become a major focus for fire departments nationwide. Statistics show that firefighters are more than twice as likely to develop cancer during their lifetime compared to civilians and in Boston specifically, 67% of firefighters will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. Even after additional precautionary measures have been implemented across the Department, the number of cancer diagnosis and death continue to rise at an alarming rate. There is hope, however. The Boston Fire Department Relief Fund is excited to be partnering with Safety, Health, and Wellness along with the Last Call Foundation to bring Relief to members of the BFD, by providing funding for early detection cancer screenings.
