News

The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department Duty Crew Firefighters Turn Out in Pink this October to support the fight against breast cancer. In addition to fighting fires and responding to EMS calls, Ocean Pines firefighters are sporting the color pink throughout the month of October in efforts to raise awareness and help fight breast cancer and other cancers. 

Firefigters exposed to carcinogens other chemicals while on the job are disproportionately diagnosed wth breast cancer- just one of many cancers linked to the work firefighters do.  With one in eight women diagnosed each year, an estimated 232,670 new cases of breast cancer and 40,000 deaths will be reported in 2014.  Among all women affected, 85 percent have no family history. 

"Firefighters are motivated to get involved for many reasons, and often it's because they have been personally affected by the disease," says Bill Bounds, Deputy Chief with the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire  Department.  "We are supporting breast cancer awareness and prevention by encouraging others to give so that no breast cancer patient goes without life-saving treatments or having hope for a cure."  Everyone is at risk for breast cancer.  The two most important risk factors are being female and getting older.  Most women diagnosed with breast cancer have no other known factors.  To help reduce your risk, be sure to maintain a healthy weight, eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, exercise and limit alcohol consumption. 

Your Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department Duty Crew firefighters encourage everyone in this community to participate in breast cancer awareness and prevention activities.