Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety participated in their first annual “Caring Enough to Wear Pink” Cancer Awareness campaign to show support.

Instead of their traditional navy blue uniform shirts during the week of Oct. 22-26 they wore pink T-shirt’s.

In a three-year study completed in 2005 by the University of Cincinnati, researchers concluded that firefighters face a 102 percent greater chance of contracting cancer than any other type of worker.

Cancer is directly linked to the occupational employment of a firefighter due to the exposure of smoke, fumes, carcinogens, poisons, toxins, and chemical substances that occur on the job.

Fire departments throughout Washington and the country have worked hard to develop presumptive rules that help provide the necessary medical care and support these men and women need during their battle.