Prince George's Firefighters Raise $6K to Fight Breast Cancer

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BOWIE, MD--As part of Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department’s annual campaign during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, volunteer and career firefighters, paramedics and administrative personnel of the department are permitted to replace their usual work attire throughout the month of October with shirts promoting awareness for all forms of cancer, namely Breast Cancer, which affects as many as one in eight women in America.

Each year, Fire/EMS Department personnel are invited to purchase commemorative shirts with all net proceeds donated to fund cancer charities. Proposed designs are created and submitted by members of the Department.

Final selection is made by the Fire Chief on the basis of promoting awareness, as well as representing the commitment of the entire Department to extend the message of courage and hope to the communities we serve.

Fire Chief Bashoor said, “Our men and women proudly wear these shirts on behalf of all cancers, especially during the month of October, traditionally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month." Bashoor continued, “We are pleased to do everything we can to raise visual awareness and provide much needed funding for the care and wellbeing of our citizens.”

Sales this year were managed through an independent Prince George’s County based silkscreen vendor, First Impressions, Inc., of Bowie. All net proceeds were donated by the vendor, through the Fire Chief’s Community Advisory Council, to serve cancer charities.

The 2015 campaign raised a total of $6,100, and the Doctors Community Hospital Foundation was selected to receive the charitable donation, earmarked to assist the Breast Center at Doctors Community Hospital.

Those on hand to receive the check from Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor and Fire Chief’s Community Advisory Council Chair Cheryl Walker on March 16 included, Paul Grenaldo, EVP and COO, Doctors Community Hospital, Charles Dukes, Chair of the Doctors Community Hospital Foundation, Robyn Webb-Williams, Vice President, DCHF, Regina Hampton, MD, Medical Director, Doctors Community Breast Center and Terrie Trimmer, Director, Doctors Community Breast Center and DCHF Board Member, William Steen of Carrollton Enterprises.

Fire Chief’s Community Advisory Council President Cheryl Walker stated, “Through our developing partnership with the Doctors Community Hospital Foundation and the Breast Center, we will help countless county residents receive valuable access to care and screening. Together, we encourage all citizens of our community, men and women alike, to follow the American Cancer Society’s recommendations for cancer screening and self-examination.”

Paul Grenaldo added, “We are extremely honored by this outpouring of support and generosity from the men and women of the Prince George’s County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. Through relationships with organizations that are similarly dedicated to serving our great community, we can collectively help people maintain or improve their health and quality of life.” Grenaldo continued, “We are grateful for all of the support that we’ve received for the Doctors Community Breast Center. From providing leading edge 3D mammography to having the first program with a dedicated breast surgeon in the county, we welcome the opportunity to continue our partnership with the Fire/EMS Department to increase access to lifesaving breast cancer prevention, detection and treatment options.”

Photo courtesy of Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department.