PITTSBURGH and ALTA LOMA, Calif. – Dräger will team with the Code 3 for a Cure Foundation (C3FAC) to promote cancer awareness and prevention among firefighters, one of the groups most heavily afflicted by the disease. The two organizations formally announced their alliance at FDIC International, the world’s largest firefighter training conference in the United States, held recently in Indianapolis.
“By stepping in to support us in our efforts, Dräger once again demonstrates its ongoing commitment to the safety of firefighters,” said Lorenzo Abundiz, Medal of Valor recipient, three-time cancer survivor and president/founder of C3FAC. “We look forward to working closely with the Dräger team in 2015.”
To support C3FAC’s effort to promote the awareness of carcinogenic substances in firefighting environments, Dräger has made a monetary contribution to the foundation. In addition, Dräger has donated an SCBA and personal protection equipment (PPE) for the Code 3 team to use when they participate in fundraising events around the country.
“Today’s building materials, furnishings and contents contain significantly higher amounts of plastic and other substances that can form hazardous gases and particles when they burn,” said Lothar Thielen, President North America Region, Dräger. “As a result, firefighters are increasingly exposed to the risk of toxic substances that can potentially cause a variety of cancers. Dräger is proud to join forces with C3FAC in its mission to address the issue of cancer for firefighters.”
As a global leader in medical and safety technology, Dräger has been a reliable provider of firefighting equipment and fire training solutions for firefighters around the world for more than 100 years.
Abundiz, a firefighter and engineer from Santa Ana, California, was forced into early medical disability retirement in 2001 after being diagnosed with cancer. As a result of his struggles in getting help to fight his illness, Abundiz founded the Code 3 for a Cure Foundation in 2008.
Abundiz explained that ‘Code 3’ refers to an emergency vehicle going to the highest level of response in an emergency situation, when lights and sirens are utilized. “In the context of this organization, Code 3 means moving to the highest level of response to help cure the effects of cancer by helping a group who, statistically, is one of the most heavily afflicted by the disease.”
For more information about Dräger’s fire service solutions, go to www.draeger.com/fire.
For more information about C3FAC, go to www.c3fac.org.
Dräger. Technology for Life®
Dräger is an international leader in the fields of medical and safety technology. Our products protect, support and save lives. Founded in 1889, in 2014 Dräger generated revenues of around EUR 2.43 billion. The Dräger Group is currently present in more than 190 countries and has about 13,500 employees worldwide.
Please visit www.draeger.com for more information.
Code 3 for a Cure Foundation
Code 3 for a Cure is a national nonprofit 501(c)3 public charity addressing firefighter cancer. A major aspect of its purpose is to provide financial assistance to firefighters (whether active or retired and whether salaried, paid call, or volunteer) across the United States who are battling cancer and facing a financial hardship. Code 3 for a Cure also brings attention to the issue of firefighter cancer and helps minimize the impacts of cancer among firefighters.
Read more at www.c3fac.org.
