TX Firefighter T-Shirts Push Cancer Awareness

Dec. 5, 2018

After the Richmond Fire Department created T-shirt designs for breast cancer awareness, its doing the same for testicular cancers.

Source Houston Chronicle

Richmond, TX, firefighters show off the department's T-shirt design for 'Movember' to raise awareness for testicular cancers. — Richmond, TX, firefighters show off the department's T-shirt design for "Movember" to raise awareness for testicular cancers.

The Richmond Fire Department has continued a tradition of bringing attention to cancer awareness with the entire department wearing specially designed T-shirts acknowledging specific cancers — breast cancer in October and Prostate and Testicular Cancers in November.

This tradition began in 2012, respecting survivors of breast cancer, the second most common type of cancer in women. Several firemen created a custom design and the entire department wore those shirts throughout the month of October dedicated to those who have been taken by cancer as well as those who continue to fight and survive this deadly disease. Every October introduces a new design.

A new tradition began this November since it is recognized as the month to raise awareness of men’s health (Movember) as well as target cancers that generally impact men — prostate and testicular cancers.

For several years the American Fire Service has promoted fitness and health initiatives among firefighters. More recently the focus has been on the dangers of cancer-causing substances, chemicals, agents and foods which is being addressed through vigorous efforts to identify and prevent firefighters exposure to these risks.

“We have lost too many in our profession (firefighters) to cancer,” said Richmond Fire Chief Mike Youngblood.

“The International Association of Fire Chiefs along with other organizations have researched and promoted ways to reduce the loss of our firefighters,” said Youngblood. “New cancer screening initiatives are being put in place to ensure that members of the Richmond Fire Department have all measures available to detect, diagnose and prevent cancer.”

When it comes to their health, too many men don’t talk about and don’t take action toward identifying and managing activities regarding cancer screening as well as implementing preventative measures. Awareness is the key to understand the actions needed to manage men’s health and the Richmond Fire Department specially designed T-shirts drew attention to men’s health and cancer awareness.

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