In recognition of January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, the Hamot Health Foundation and UPMC Health Plan Neighborhood Center have partnered to provide free cancer screenings for Erie’s first responders—a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region.
The screenings come in response to alarming statistics from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which reports that firefighters are 9% more likely to develop cancer and 14% more likely to die from cancer-related causes compared to the general population. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) identifies occupational cancer as the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service.
With 132 active firefighters in the City of Erie, the event aims to promote early detection and better health outcomes. Nearly 91% of Erie firefighters scheduled appointments for the screenings, which include ultrasounds, blood draws, and dermatology checks. Each firefighter is screened every half-hour, and all costs are fully covered by Hamot Health Foundation.
The six-day screening event runs Dec. 1 until Dec. 6 at the newly opened UPMC Health Plan Neighborhood Center, located at 803 East Avenue, Erie, from 6:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. daily. This initiative fulfills a long-standing goal of Erie Firefighters IAFF Local 293, which has advocated for comprehensive cancer screenings for the past five years.
Local media are invited to visit the center on Thursday, Dec. 4, between 8:30 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. to observe the event and speak with organizers and participants.
To support programs like the Firefighter Cancer Screening Clinic or assist cancer patients directly, donations can be made to Hamot Health Foundation’s HHF Cancer Fund or SLM Cancer Fund at HamotHealthFoundation.org/Cancer.