Glendale Firefighter distributes a cancer awareness message to warn of a growing problem among the FOX -FOX 10 NEWS Phoenix community

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Glendale, Ariz. – A retired firefighter in Glendale is fighting cancer.

This is a problem that becomes too common among firefighters across the country.

January is “Month of Firefighters Cancer” and he encourages his colleagues to receive health screenings.

Meet Kevin Thompson

The story:

Kevin Thompson spent 26 years rescuing life and just because he is retired does not mean that he has done to help others.

“I would still be there to do it if I could,” said Thompson.

He got up Glendale Firefighter in 1993 and did not leave his Cancer diagnostics He forced him to retire medically.

“I have numerous myelomas and I was diagnosed in April 2019,” he said.

He added that 75% of his plasma has cancer cells and for the last 6 years or more, Kevin has been fighting for his life, going to a meeting after appointment at Banner Health.

Dig for a deeper:

“There is no cure for multiple myeloma. I have to do regular chemotherapy to keep it,” he said. “So I’ve been probably five or six different chemo drugs in the last few years.”

Multiple myeloma is one of the cancer cancers listed in the alleged Arizona Cancer Act for firefighters.

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What they say:

“Firefighters are usually at a higher risk of cancer due to the exposure that they have many toxins that are not only inhaled, but can actually be absorbed through their skin,” says Dr. Pardis Javadi, a surgical oncologist at banner MD Anderson.

If it wasn’t for his diagnosis, Kevin says he would still work for the fire department.

“It’s the best job in the world, but we don’t have to die to do it. So if I can help, that’s my goal,” said Thompson.

Its purpose is to share its story in the hope that it encourages current and retired firefighters to check.

“Many people at work have this attitude. At work to be a firefighter, they want to try to leave the place better than they found it, and so my whole deal is that the constant efforts with my brothers and sisters,” he said.

Kevin says that although his career has led to cancer, he says he will not change anything.