BC Professional Fire Fighters are fired up for the CIBC Run for the Cure
Vancouver, BC – This Sunday, October 3, BC Professional Fire Fighters are Fired Up for CIBC Run for the Cure in a virtual experience. A team of 20 women fire fighters from across BC will be outfitted in their full turnout gear - an additional 50 lbs of equipment - to participate in the CIBC Run for the Cure. To date, this year they have collectively raised more than $5,000.
“Fire fighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service according to The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Bringing awareness and raising funds for breast cancer research is critically important, and specifically to fire fighters both women and men,” says Gord Ditchburn, President of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (BCPFFA).
In 2017, breast cancer was added as a WorkSafeBC occupational disease by the BC Government which affects all fire fighters, particularly, female fire fighters. The BCPFFA continues to urge the government to include other cancers pertinent to female fire fighters to the presumptive cancer list as more scientific research emerges.
“On December 10th 2019 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. In 2020 I conquered it during the pandemic! I am grateful for my successful recovery and want to pass it forward and help other women beat this,” says Jennifer Dawkins, a 21-year-fire fighter with Vancouver Fire & Rescue and Local 18.
Bringing increased public awareness to occupational cancer in the fire service helps to generate greater legislative support for states and provinces to establish presumptive disabilities for all cancers affecting fire fighters.
Breast cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women. With this disease touching the lives of so many families every day, the CIBC Run for the Cure gives families, friends and supporters the opportunity to join together to honour and celebrate their loved ones, and make a real difference.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Gord Ditchburn
BCPFFA President
C: 604.916.7110
ABOUT THE BCPFFA:
Established in 1929, the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (BCPFFA) is an organization of 53 locals who represent over 4000 professional men and women fire fighters in BC, including the Yukon. The BCPFFA and its 53 are affiliates of the International Association of Fire Fighters. The BCPFFA is a service provider for its affiliates offering training and education in areas of provincial legislation, occupational health and safety, Worksafe advocacy, financial assistance, bargaining, labour law, and advocacy for best practices in both public safety and fire fighter safety.