On July 25, 2010, cyclists and families will take to the streets of Welland, Ontario – we’ll ride for fun, we’ll ride for a cure, but most of all we’ll ride “For Pete’s Sake.”
The second annual “For Pete’s Sake” ride will take place in honour of Welland Professional Firefighter, Pete Voynovich, to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society, specifically colon cancer research.
Nearly three years ago, Pete was diagnosed with late-stage colon cancer, after more than 30 years of service to the Welland community as a professional firefighter. For the past three years, he’s been fighting this horrible disease with a strong dose of firefighter’s bravery and courage.
Sadly, Pete’s battle continues. Just recently he learned that the cancer has spread further and his battle will get even harder in the months to come.
This news, while devastating, fuels and inspires us all to work even harder to make “For Pete’s Sake” a successful charitable event in support of national efforts to find a cure for cancer.
The 2nd annual charity bicycling tour will include three different routes of varying durations for riders of all ages and ability levels. Each entrant, or family of entrants, is asked to raise a minimum of $10 in pledges.
Date: July 25, 2010
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: King Street Fire Station
BBQ to follow at the Station!
Please join us and together we can help find a cure, “For Pete’s Sake!”
To register and obtain your pledge sheet, please contact, Paula Albano, Welland Fire and Emergency Services, 905-735-9922 ext 231, or visit the King Street Fire Station.
Numerous studies have proven that the risk of being diagnosed with cancer is higher among firefighters than the general population. One such study, conducted in 2006 by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, reviewed 32 studies on firefighters to determine the cancer risk. The study’s results confirmed previous findings of an elevated risk for multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, prostate, and testicular cancers. Eight additional cancers were listed as having a “possible” association with firefighting. In a three-year study completed in 2005 by the University of Cincinnati, researchers concluded that firefighters face a 102% greater chance of contracting testicular cancer than any other type of worker, a 53% greater chance of multiple myeloma, a 51% greater chance of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a 39% greater chance of skin cancer, a 32% greater chance of brain cancer, a 28% greater chance of prostate cancer, a 22% greater chance of stomach cancer, and a 21% greater chance of colon cancer. “Firefighters are exposed to numerous cancer-causing substances,” said head researcher Grace LeMasters. “I think obviously they have not got enough protection from that exposure. We feel that the protective gear that protects them from acute exposures, such as heat and carbon monoxide, doesn’t protect them from the chemical residues that cause cancer.”
But in spite of numerous findings pointing to an increased cancer risk among firefighters, as well as presumptive laws that have been passed in certain states, it is still an uphill battle for many firefighters to try to prove that their cancer is job related so they can get the medical care they need. According to an article written by the International Association of Firefighters, Dave Potter had been a dedicated firefighter in Puyallup, Washington, for 16 years in 2005 when he learned he had T-cell lymphocytic leukemia. Potter contracted the cancer as a result of dangerous toxins he had been exposed to on the job. Even though Washington had enacted presumptive laws, Potter died before he received the treatment he needed. “He died because he needed a bone marrow transplant, and could not afford the $60,000 cost of the procedure,” explained Kevin Rojecki, legislative liaison for the Washington State Council of Firefighters. “He died because his workers compensation claim was denied.”
Bill Humbert, a retired Portland, Oregon firefighter, had been on the job 10 years when he found a lump on his neck that turned out to be non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He, too, was sick due to on-the-job exposure. At the time Oregon did not have presumptive laws. Humbert’s cancer is currently in remission, and he is advocating on behalf of other firefighters to pass presumptive legislation in Oregon.
Like Humbert, Code 3 for a Cure President and Founder Lorenzo Abundiz experienced the same type of nightmare in 1998 while still on active duty, after serving for 26 years as a Firefighter, when he found a lump on his right rear chest wall that turned out to be leiomyosarcoma, a rare and highly aggressive cancer that attacks the muscle tissue and can quickly spread. Abundiz’s employer denied his request for workers’ compensation benefits, claiming that his cancer was not caused by his firefighting career. Having never smoked a cigarette in his life, Abundiz found it hard to believe that the cancer was not caused by his firefighting career. Because the City initially denied his claim for benefits, Abundiz’s much needed surgery was delayed by one month because of the lengthy HMO approval process. By the time he finally got the surgery he needed, the tumor had grown to the size of a golf ball and had spread. In spite of an oncologist’s testimony to the contrary, Abundiz ultimately lost his workers’ compensation case in court.
As the above cases illustrate, in addition to going through the trauma of a cancer diagnosis, surgery and/or treatment, firefighters not covered under workers’ compensation often end up having to pay hefty bills for their medical care, their medical care is delayed, or they don’t receive the critical care they need because they cannot afford it, as in Dave Potter’s case. In addition to the stress of trying to prove their cancer was job related (if they have the energy or the means to do so), the financial stress caused by escalating medical bills only adds to the stress they are already under and further undermines the healing process.
The fact that cancer affects millions of people all over the world, and the fact that there is a proven correlation between firefighting and cancer, confirm both the need to eradicate the terrible disease and, until a cure is found, help alleviate the suffering of its victims; more specifically, its firefighter victims. There are currently no known organizations that provide financial relief specifically for active or retired firefighters diagnosed with cancer, and there is currently a lack of an adequate system to ensure they receive the critical health care and support they need. Although there is no known statistical data identifying exactly how many firefighters are in financial distress due to a cancer diagnosis, it can be easily surmised that there is a definite need for programs designed specifically for them, based on both their elevated risk of contracting the disease and the lack of affordable critical health care.
Source: http://code3foracure.org/stats.html
WPFFA 2011 Charity Calendar updates, . . . . here 
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From
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Ontario Municipal FIre Prevention Officers Association
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Firefighters attended the Annual Ladies Night out in support of the Welland Heritage Council. Welland Professional Firefighters donated their time and efforts to serve tables and smiles.
The Welland Heritage Council & Multicultural Centre would like to express our their sincere gratitude to all of the members of our community who generously contributed to our Third Annual Ladies Night Out.
Thanks to all of you the evening was an overwhelming success. Judy Cousineau, was photographed with the Fire
Welland Lions Community Centre
The Welland Professional Fire
MC-Joe Crawford
Pianist - Frank Krahn
Joseph’s Estate Winnery
Zehers Food Plus
Boston Pizza
Bianco’s Pizza
Rose City Pizza
Café on Main
Lococo’s Fruit & Vegetables
Pupos Super Market
Country Corner Meat & Deli
Adelina’s Catering
Cool Licks
Welland Bakery
Lill’y Cuisine
Famous Wok
China Court
Blue Star Restaurant
Arcuri’s Cheese
Artful Cookie
MT Bellies
Shoeless
MT Bellies
Shoeless Joe’s
Food Basics
Party Shoppe
Welland Rona
91.7 Giant FM
The Tribune
