KILLEEN, Texas — A local organization is doing its part to help those who have dedicated their lives to helping others.
Two members of the Killeen Fire Department are currently battling cancer. Now, the Killeen Professional Fire Fighter's Association is hosting a fundraiser to help them and others in need. In the past two years, they've helped Cole Dement, a firefighter and paramedic with Killeen Fire who was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in 2022.
"Without a question, brothers and sisters who I'd never met before we're helping out, lending a hand," Dement said. "That's what the association tries to accomplish, we're just here to help no matter what for anybody."
The Fire Fighter's Association is holding a raffle to raise money for the Killeen Fire Fighter's Fund, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that gives money to local first responders in need.
Tickets for the raffle are $50. The last day to purchase tickets will be Aug. 31, and the drawing will be held the next day on Sept. 1. A full list of raffle items and more information can be found on the Killeen Professional Fire Fighter's Association Facebook page.
Those who wish to enter the raffle or who would like to donate in other ways can message the organization on their Facebook page, or email iaff2505president@gmail.com.
Cancer is currently the leading cause of death for firefighters. Since 2019, a Texas law helps firefighters get Worker's Compensation for occupational cancer, but not all are eligible. Only 11 cancers are covered and certain requirements must be met.
Under SB 2551, the eleven cancers covered are:
- Stomach
- Colon
- Rectum
- Skin
- Prostate
- Testes
- Brain
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Multiple Myeloma
- Malignant Melanoma
- Renal Cell Carcinoma
Under the same law, a firefighter must:
- Be diagnosed during employment
- Be a firefighter for at least five years
- Be free of cancer when they started the job
- Respond regularly to fire, radiation or carcinogenic calls
- Not smoke, and not be married to a smoker.
Dement, a hardly ever sick man with no medical history, or even family with cancer, was shocked when he was diagnosed. He was only 28 years old at the time.
"Went from waking up feeling good to two weeks later laying on a cot in the hospital," Dement said.
Along with his thyroid, Dement had around 60 lymph nodes that were cancerous.
Dement a scar from ear to ear where his shirt collar sits. A reminder of the dangers that can come with the job.
"Going on those fires, being around that hazardous environment -- it's worrisome," the now 30-year-old said.
Killeen Firefighters are required to run through decontamination procedures. It's just one way they're able to help better protect themselves from the carcinogens they encounter.
"We scrub with Dawn dish soap, you know it gets the oils off the ducks so we can get some smoke and hazards off of this surely," Dement joked.
Dement hasn't lost his sense of humor despite his life-altering diagnosis. It did teach him to be more aware of the threat that comes with protecting the community and he hopes others in the service realize that too.
"It's something that each of us should think about," Dement added. "I don't think we think as much as we should. Just to be able to sit here and talk about it and to shed light on obviously the topic is tugged at my heartstrings as well."
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