CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “It was an honor today to stand with the Miami-Dade firefighting community to present more than 60 cancer-fighting decontamination kits. Cancer rates in our firefighters are alarming. We can’t stand by another year and let these men and women shoulder the financial burden for cancer treatment. Cancer caused 70 percent of career firefighter line of duty deaths across the nation. We must make sure these heroes have the tools needed to stay healthy and safe.”

Associate Director, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Erin Kobetz, PhD MPH said, “Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is proud to partner with the State of Florida on cancer prevention. We are inspired by our firefighter colleagues, who worked with us to translate our scientific findings into something practical that can reduce cancer risk in the field. As in all things, we are stronger together.”

 

Four thousand decontamination kits will be distributed throughout Florida. More than 1,000 kits have already been distributed with the remainder of the kits to be delivered in the coming weeks. Each kit includes the tools needed for firefighters to effectively clean gear after a fire. The decontamination kits were awarded through a $1 million grant to the firefighter cancer mitigation grant program. Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center has developed a website, www.sylvesternewbadgeofhonor.com, which contains related educational materials, along with other resources designed to help educate firefighters about cancer risks and processes that might help reduce those risks.