Edward “Eddie” McDonagh Jr. responded to 9/11 as a member of Engine Company 324 in Queens and later served as a Lieutenant with Engine 37/Ladder 40 in Harlem …during his 20-year career as a Firefighter for FDNY.
Eddie died of colorectal cancer in 2017 at just 49 years old, and he left behind his wife, Kimberly, and five children. Another jolting reminder of the devastating impact of occupational cancer in the fire service.
Cancer is the #1 Killer Of Firefighters In North America.
You Know That.
The nonprofit “15-40 Connection” – an organization that teaches how to detect cancer early – created an initiative aimed at helping ALL Firefighters beat cancer.
Keep reading.
Last October, the folks at “15-40 Connection” began a partnership with the FDNY to share a newly-created, Firefighter-specific version of its 3 Steps Detect education program. FDNY instructors began a year-long process of teaching 15-40 Connection’s education to Firefighters across New York City’s five boroughs.
The education includes this must watch video titled “Eddie’s Afterglow” in which his widow, Kimberly McDonagh tackles Eddie’s delayed diagnosis, along with an impassioned plea for you and I to be proactive about health issues.
Please take 4 minutes to watch this video….and after that, please forward this or pass it on to every Firefighter in your email list and social media.
HERE IS THE 4 MINUTE VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/Nsmiq7vTaGU
In the video you will note the 3 STEPS TO DETECT:
1-Know What GREAT Feels Like
2-Use the TWO WEEK RULE (If you don’t feel “GREAT” in 2 weeks).
3-See Your Doctor
(More details on the “3 Steps” are at the link below)
Don’t Screw Around.
In a study of 30,000 Firefighters, NIOSH determined 10 types of cancer Firefighters are at an elevated risk of developing – colorectal cancer is one of them…and you are a FIREFIGHTER AT RISK. Don’t Screw Around.
Please.
Here is a link to the 15-40 Connection.
https://www.15-40.org/get-involved/fire-service/
You are encouraged to have your department reach out to them for more information about their Firefighter survival program.
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