Blogger: Suzette Martinez StandringFeatures firefighters' experiences with cancer, and their hard won lessons. Learn about the power of early cancer detection and the advances of science. http://www.firefightersvscancer.org Two days after September 11, 2001, my husband Tom walked through the door, his red hair was now topped in fine, white powder which trailed down his neck and onto his shoulders.  "Snowmen" is what the media called the people covered in the pulverized concrete and various debris from the collapsed Twin Towers. Tom was a construction superintendent and working on the roof of an adjacent building when the first plane hit the north tower, he left the area soon after the second plane hit. As he fled, the north tower had begun to collapse, catching him and many others in its thick, cloudy aftermath. http://www.firefightersvscancer.org/Blog?articleid=288219&view=post&blogid=11134 Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 Boston Fire inspector Chantette Stallworth had cervical cancer at age 21. The devastation of a radical hysterectomy led to bouts of addiction, which she overcame. Faith led her to her beloved career in firefighting, and she remains cancer free. BY Suzette Martinez Standring http://www.firefightersvscancer.org/Blog?articleid=287528&view=post&blogid=11134 Sat, 16 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 Retired Fire Captain Jeff Byrne of San Francisco is in remission from prostate cancer. Early detection and therapy aided his recovery. It's unusual for firefighters to be open to group therapy, but Jeff marvels at the difference it made in his life and three other firefighters during their journey through cancer. By Suzette Martinez Standring http://www.firefightersvscancer.org/Blog?articleid=286896&view=post&blogid=11134 Sun, 13 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 Ritchie Hudson survived occupational leukemia twice and finally, a bone marrow transplant brought remission. He is a retired Captain from the Town of Davie Fire Rescue in Florida. His wife, Gina Hudson is a retired firefighter from Florida's Miramar Fire Rescue. She wrote about their experiences with vivid candor. Let her story sink in, as she pleads with government agencies and insurance companies to do better for all firefighters. Story by Gina Hudson http://www.firefightersvscancer.org/Blog?articleid=285922&view=post&blogid=11134 Mon, 2 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 Every day in some way Memorial Day is in our hearts, thoughts of men and women who gave their lives for the United States. The word "united" is what they defended. Let's also remember firefighters who have saved lives but lost their own.  Chances of occupational cancer are high. On a holiday that symbolizes remembrance of the fallen, we hold up those who defended and protected us with fatal consequences to themselves. Let's do our part to defend and protect our military and firefighters. By Suzette Martinez Standring http://www.firefightersvscancer.org/Blog?articleid=285367&view=post&blogid=11134 Tue, 27 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 The May 10 comedy fundraiser by Firefighters vs Cancer raised money to give Milton (MA) firefighters free early cancer screening kits. Is your community interested in doing a similar benefit for your local firefighters? Here are lessons learned. By Suzette Martinez Standring http://www.firefightersvscancer.org/Blog?articleid=285189&view=post&blogid=11134 Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 Breakthroughs in esophageal cancer treatment were not available to Boston firefighter Jim Connolly when he was diagnosed in 2012. He had complications from waiting too long to seek help. His message is get tested early, and shared his cautionary tale. By Suzette Martinez Standring http://www.firefightersvscancer.org/Blog?articleid=284794&view=post&blogid=11134 Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 On Milton Cable Access TV, Mike Foley talks to Suzette Standring about why he founded Firefighters Vs Cancer and the 5/10/2025 comedy event to give firefighters of Milton, MA free early cancer screening kits by OneTest. The goal is to raise national awareness of the significantly higher rates of occupational cancer among firefighters and to get them tested early to save lives. By Suzette Martinez Standring http://www.firefightersvscancer.org/Blog?articleid=284293&view=post&blogid=11134 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 Clean Comedy show on Saturday, 5/10/25 at the Milton High School Auditorium to benefit the firefighters of Milton, MA who will get free early cancer screening kits by OneTest. Hosted by Firefighters vs Cancer and talent provided by On Premise Entertainment. Firefighters face a higher percentage of occupational cancer. Let's fill the seats to support them. Early detection saves lives. Scan the QR Code for more information. By Suzette Martinez Standring http://www.firefightersvscancer.org/Blog?articleid=284221&view=post&blogid=11134 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 A year ago (March 2024) I had an emergency surgery to fix severe fluid buildup (pleural effusion) in my chest from cancer radiation. My hospital roommate had a perforated bowel from cancer and she was relentlessly cheerful. By Suzette Martinez Standring http://www.firefightersvscancer.org/Blog?articleid=283961&view=post&blogid=11134 Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 Lt. Fire Inspector Chris Wyman and the late Ret. Lt. Jessica L. Wyman were husband and wife, career firefighters, and soulmates. It was his unbearable loss when Jessica passed away from occupational lung cancer. She was the first female firefighter to be promoted to lieutenant of the Nashua (NH) fire department. Chris, Lieutenant/Fire Inspector for the Merrimack, NH Fire Department, tells her story. By Suzette Martinez Standring http://www.firefightersvscancer.org/Blog?articleid=283670&view=post&blogid=11134 Wed, 9 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 Firefighters! Document occupational cancer risk. now, even if there is no illness at this time. Fill out a Workers Compensation form and put it in your personnel file through Human Resources to protect future medical or Line of Duty Death benefits. Lt. and Fire Inspector Christopher Wyman of NH gives details. http://www.firefightersvscancer.org/Blog?articleid=283449&view=post&blogid=11134 Wed, 2 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 Amy Colton, National Sales Manager for OneTest, believes early screenings saved her own life, and said, "Firefighters are at a 72% higher chance of dying from cancer than they are from dying in a fire. It seems kind of crazy that they're not regularly screening for cancer in a meaningful manner." - By Suzette Martinez Standring http://www.firefightersvscancer.org/Blog?articleid=283246&view=post&blogid=11134 Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 Boston firefighter Dan Ranahan battled stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2020. He beat cancer and went on to found the Boston Fire Cancer Foundation. His wife saved his life by insisting against his powerful objections to see a doctor. This is his story. http://www.firefightersvscancer.org/Blog?articleid=282621&view=post&blogid=11134 Mon, 24 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0400 Greetings to our firefighters, families and friends! Welcome to FFVC's new blog, Smoke Eaters, Cancer Beaters.  I'm Suzette Martinez Standring, Chief Correspondent, which is a fancy term for She-Who-Shares-Your-Stories. Early cancer testing for firefighters is our goal because of the documented higher risk of occupational cancer. http://www.firefightersvscancer.org/Blog?articleid=281538&view=post&blogid=11134 Mon, 6 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0400