It was not as well known at the time, but since his passing, we’ve learned a lot about how cancers like Dave’s are caused by exposure to harmful toxins released during a fire. And unfortunately these cancers have been found to be one of our leading killers in the fire service, with firefighters being diagnosed at an alarming rate. With the inspiration of guys like Dave and the thousands of others who have been taken by this terrible disease, the fire service has made fighting cancer one of its highest priorities.
We're honored to have the opportunity to present these scholarships in Dave’s name, and hope they not only help keep his memory alive, but help inspire some of our youngest and brightest to contribute to finding a way to prevent, treat, and ultimately cure cancer.