NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT: Albany Firefighters Cancer and Disability Foundation
Photos by Elissa Ebersold
“Everybody that helps us, whether that's the board or people that help at charitable events or fundraisers, they're all doing it just out of the goodness of their hearts.”
Due to the inherent, dangerous nature of firefighting, the risk of a cancer diagnosis is heightened by nine percent for those working in the field, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s research. The costs of cancer treatment go beyond simply paying for the treatment itself; costs for housing, travel, food, and many other expenses must be accounted for during this journey. Luckily, The Albany Firefighters Cancer and Disability Foundation recognizes this risk among firefighters and works diligently to provide aid to those in need.
The AFCDF — started as a resource to preserve the initiative of Brother's Keeper — stands as an essential line of support for firefighters, their families, and the upstate community.
Brother's Keeper, started in the early 2000s by Albany Fire Captain Kevin Murphy and later joined by Albany Fire Lieutenant John Tidings, was created to raise funds for firefighters and their families, simultaneously easing costs and raising awareness on cancer diagnoses. For nearly 20 years, Brother's Keeper was able to maintain their goal through the creation of the widely recognizable St. Patrick's Day and October Breast Cancer Awareness shirts that represented the Albany Fire Department. Trevor Everts, now director of the AFCDF, recalls his experience with Brother's Keeper during his initial training as an Albany firefighter.
“When I was first hired a little over a decade ago, one of my first days in our academy, Captain Murphy, Lieutenant Tidings, and Firefighter Kevin McGeary came and talked to our whole class about their grassroots operation, Brother’s Keeper,” says Everts. “When Captain Murphy and Lieutenant Tidings both retired, there was a bit of a void there. Corey Van Leuven, the co-director of the AFCDF, and I wanted to continue their legacy and continue doing the work that they started.”
Today, the Albany Firefighters Cancer and Disability Foundation has operated as a nonprofit for three years, continuing to bring forth the original goals of Brother's Keeper in our community. The AFCDF works hard to not only assist individuals after a cancer diagnosis but also to actively educate on the realities of cancer within the field of firefighting. By taking proactive measures through educational resources, the AFCDF hopes to lessen the potential chances of diagnosis.
“We try to ensure that firefighters are following the best practices to avoid getting a cancer diagnosis in the first place,” says Everts. “We do this through the promotion of healthy eating, exercise, and fire service-specific cancer prevention. Unfortunately, with all of that, there still is going to be a high rate of firefighters that do end up with a cancer diagnosis.”
When that unfortunate day does come for some of their brothers, it’s AFCDF’s mission to stand by them and support them. To offset the burden that the treatment payments can have, Everts says, “We try to give an E-ZPass for tolls, pay for hotel rooms, or pay for whatever aspect of treatments we can. We can raise more money to help with any sort of technology that may help our firefighters stay cancer-free.”
The AFCDF is able to provide these systems of support through funding and community aid. With a large system of firefighters, their families, and a multitude of community figures pitching in to help raise money and support, the AFCDF has been able to keep its foundation an indispensable structure for the Albany community.
“Jared Chaer is a graphic designer at his firm, Upside Collective. Those guys, from top to bottom, built us a website when we became a 501(c)(3) and did a whole branding package for us,” Everts explains with gratitude. “Jared has been designing quite a few of our t-shirts that we sell as a fundraiser recently. He makes those designs on his own time and just volunteers that to us as a donation to help our cause.
“Everybody that helps us, whether that's the board or people that help at charitable events or fundraisers, they're all doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. No one's compensated in any way, so people just really make the time to allow this to work.”
The AFCDF stands as a strong representation of the power that community and mutual collaboration hold. From Brother's Keeper to the creation of the AFCDF, Albany firefighters have been preserving the mission of helping those in need for over 20 years. The AFCDF frequently posts their events or clothing sales on their social media for anyone interested in lending a hand or supporting the foundation.
“We're still in the very juvenile stages. We're in our third year here, so every year is a new opportunity to grow, and we're excited to see that,” says Everts. “And as we do, we have a whole list of goals — a lot of those are made possible by a great group of people we have behind us: planning events and fundraisers to brainstorming new ways we can garner support.”
For more information on the Albany Firefighters Cancer and Disability Foundation visit: https://www.afcdf.org/