One-in-three firefighters will be diagnosed with cancer during their careers and 60 percent of line-of-duty deaths are due to cancer, according to the National Institute of Science and Health.
One look at these statistics can be quite shocking and surprising if you're not involved with the firefighting community.
This week, students at Fortis College are kicking off a campaign with the national nonprofit 'Hoods for Heroes' to raise money for firefighters in the First Coast.
Students have a goal of raising $125, the cost of one protective hood that firefighters wear under their helmet. The money collected during the campaign will go towards a pool that local departments-- including Bradford, Clay, and St. John's County, among others-- could use to help pay for the protective material.
“I know how much medical bills are," said Melissa Clayton.
Even during lunch at Fortis College, Clayton finds herself reminding fellow classmates about the school's latest fundraising effort to help firefighters purchase protective gear.
“I have a big mouth, I start early," Clayton said jokingly.
Melissa has already raised $250, enough to cover the costs of two protective firefighter hoods like the ones currently used in Clay County.
“It’s the products in the smoke that are all carcinogens and when we wear this hood, it protects us from the heat," said Clay County Firefighter Mark Kaminski.
The newer material allows for a closer fit so carcinogens stick to the hood instead of getting into firefighter’s open pores, increasing their risk of cancer. Buying them has been tough for some departments as they cost around $125, compared to the older ones which cost around fifteen dollars.
“They’re losing their husbands at such a young age," Clayton said. "And I lost my dad. He had cancer. He wasn’t a firefighter, but still, I lost him really early so that really affected me. They said for $125 you can really save a person from having to go through what I’ve gone through."
Clayton is using social media in hopes of raising enough money to outfit ten firefighters with hoods.
“People have the biggest hearts and when they hear a story like this, they want to help and that’s just it," Clayton said. "It opens up my heart a lot, because it really is a good story. You hear so much stuff nowadays, the good thing is, you ask and people want to help. “