By Sheldon Spackman

Blackfalds Firefighters Association seeking support in helping member fight terminal cancer

Jan 18, 2018 | 4:42 PM

BLACKFALDS, ALTA – The Blackfalds Firefighters Association is asking for your help in assisting the family of one of their members fighting an aggressive terminal cancer.

Dave Sutherland has been a Volunteer Firefighter in Blackfalds for the past 15 years and was recently diagnosed with Glioblastoma cancer. It is said to be a type of cancer common to firefighters due to the constant toxins and carcinogens they are exposed to during a fire and its overhaul process.

Blackfalds Firefighters Association officials say volunteer firefighters are constantly sacrificing themselves in order to help others. Adding they continuously leave supper on the table and their families behind to rush out the door and selflessly sacrifice to help those in need.

Over and above their volunteer duties, these firefighters also maintain regular full-time jobs and often work all night at a fire or motor vehicle collision and come home only to shower and go off to their regular job to support their family.

Officials with the Blackfalds Firefighters Association say firefighters are on average five times as likely to get cancer during their working careers. Also facing dangers such as a roof collapse or floor giving-way during a structure fire or risk getting hit by a passing motorists while helping an accident victim on the side of a highway.

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 19, 2024

16h ago

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

Week-in-review: Street sweeping, policing in Coaldale and #SlowYourRoll

Apr 13, 2024

The Blackfalds Firefighters Association is now seeking your support in helping them help Dave Sutherland and his family with all the extra costs he and his family will incur during his treatment and be able to have a little left over for his family afterwards.

Being a volunteer firefighter, association officials say there is little WCB coverage as it isn’t his regular job. As a result, Dave and his family are facing the burden alone and have to bear the financial strain of no income and the massive amount of medical bills and medications he will have to pay for out of pocket.

A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help Dave Sutherland and his family, with the goal of raising $50,000. Click here to add your support. Total donations so far as of this writing come in at $4,690.

Association officials say, “Times are tough for everyone but please help our firefighter brother as he battles this terrible, terminal disease and help his family as they go through this horrific ordeal.”