Last year, the Des Moines Fire Department had to lay one of their own to rest: longtime first responder Mike Broderick.

In January 2024, Broderick died at 51-years-old following a battle with Stage Four liver cancer. A firefighter and Iraq War veteran, he was emblematic of a hero. Now, Des Moines Fire Department wants to honor him and the millions of other first responded afflicted with occupational cancer due to their line of work.

This morning, Des Moines Firefighters, the local Four Des Moines Firefighters Union, posted a photo of the late Broderick on their Facebook page, and asked people to send a letter to their legislators pleading for more cancer coverage for firefighters. They added that Broderick knew that the bill wouldn't help him, but he actively campaigned for it to support other firefighters around the country:

Earlier this week we shared the video of firefighter Mike Broderick, a brother we lost to cancer last year. Mike knew he was going to pass, and knew this bill wouldn't benefit him, but he wanted to fight anyway. He wanted his brothers and sisters in the fire service to fight together, and support each other in an effort to get this bill through to the finish line. - per the Des Moines Firefighters' Facebook page

You can view and send a letter yourself here.

Photo Credits: Canva
Photo Credits: Canva
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Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of developing cancer. They have a 14% higher risk of dying of cancer compared to members of the general public, per the U.S. Fire Administration.

Right now, simply not nearly enough is being done for firefighters in the realm of preventative measures and treatment. Greater investment in research will help understand the dynamics between occupational exposures and cancer. It will also allow easier access to cancer screenings, so it can be detected and treated in its earliest stages. Firefighters have difficultly receiving early screenings because many states' current guidance does not account for their occupational exposures.

An inexcusable oversight, in my opinion.

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Using the Action Center's website, you can email your State Senator and State Representative here in Iowa to support Iowa firefighters in their ongoing battle against occupational cancer. The goal is for Iowa elected officials to support comprehensive cancer presumption for firefighters. Such critical protection would ensure that firefighters receive the care and support they need when diagnosed with work-related cancer, per Action Center's website.

Again, it takes less than 30 seconds to send the letter, as everything is already filled out for you.

Photo Credits: Canva
Photo Credits: Canva
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READ MORE ABOUT SUPPORTING IOWA FIREFIGHTERS' BATTLE AGAINST OCCUPATIONAL CANCER AND SEND YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS A LETTER ON THE ACTION CENTER'S WEBSITE.

FOLLOW THE DES MOINES FIREFIGHTERS UNION ON FACEBOOK.

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Gallery Credit: Anuradha Varanasi

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