Middleburg, Florida – Hoods For Heroes (HFH) is expanding its community outreach by partnering with the Middleburg High School HOSA – Future Health Professionals. HOSA is a group of over 200,000 students nationwide with the mission to empower high school students to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience. These students will help HFH build the Adopt-a-Firefighter program locally and throughout Florida.
On Thursday January 24, several students from Middleburg High School will have a unique opportunity to talk with thousands of firefighters at one of the largest firefighters shows on the East Coast, Fire Rescue East in Daytona from January 23-26. Representatives from Hoods for Heroes will also be on hand to discuss its program that provides grants for free chemical blocking hoods to fire departments that need them. This is a pilot project that will expand to the other HOSA programs throughout Florida.
“We are extremely excited to assist in engaging high school students in the awareness and fight against firefighter cancer,” Co-Founder Bill Hamilton said. “Hopefully the efforts of these young adults will set the example for other students to give back to the community and our local heroes.”
Cancer in fire service is at epidemic levels. With a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general population, it is easy to understand the increased risk Firefighters face on the job. A Firefighter’s risk for specific types of cancer is significantly higher. The National Institute of Science and Health (NIOSH) reports that Firefighters are 2.02 times higher risk for testicular cancer and 1.53 times at greater risk for multiple myeloma. It is reported that as many as one in three Firefighters will be diagnosed with cancer during their careers with current statistics indicating more than 60% of line of duty deaths are due to cancer. This collaboration will bring awareness and support to those who risk their lives daily to protect others.
“We hope that firefighters will be excited to see the love and support from these young adults,” added CEO Jeff Rountree. “There are high school students all across the country that want to join fire service after graduation and this gives them the opportunity to interact with firefighters now.”
About Hoods For Heroes
Hoods For Heroes is a national non-profit with a passion for protecting our first responders. They were founded with the mission of providing life-saving equipment to the men and women of the fire service. Partnered with more 30 fire service related companies, HFH provides support, awareness and equipment to reduce the rate of cancer throughout the fire service. Visit www.HoodsForHeroes.org or @Hoodsforheroes.
About HOSA- Future Health Professionals
The purpose of HOSA-Future Health Professionals is to develop leadership and technical HOSA skill competencies through a program of motivation, awareness and recognition, which is an integral part of the Health Science Education instructional program. www.HOSA.org.
