SAUGUS — Local 1003 Fire Department members are joining the ninth annual BFit Challenge to help raise money for the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) New England Firefighters Cancer Fund.
The firefighters involved are Mario Long, Derek Hickman, Nicholas Landry, Patrick Cross, and William Mercurio.
“The BFit challenge raises money for testing to help first responders screen for cancers that we face higher risks of having. Every little bit helps us all,” Long said.
Long said it is his sixth year participating in the event
“My reasons for doing this event are, first off, the job is a very physical and stressful job at times and we need to be always moving, and what is more exciting than having some fun and getting to run around in the Boston Garden for a good cause and help other firefighters (like myself) and other first responders (police/fire/ems/military) that may have contracted any illness from the hazards of the jobs we do every day,” Long said.
Firefighters have a 21% greater risk of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD). The AAD also said firefighters are often exposed to carcinogens, leading to a higher risk of skin cancer than the rest of the population.
The BFit challenge is hosted by the Boston Bruins every year and invites community members to walk, run, or step to benefit first responders and military charities, according to its website.
National Grid is the main sponsor of the event, but Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA sponsors the firefighter team.
Those who want to donate to the Saugus Fire Department team fundraiser can find the website link on the Saugus Firefighters Local 1003 Facebook page.
