MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – Firefighters from across the state are in Myrtle Beach this week for training offered at the 110th annual South Carolina State Firefighter Association Conference.
Those attending this year’s Fire Rescue Conference will have an opportunity to meet Miss South Carolina USA, Sarah Weishuhn, who has joined the Code 3 for a Cure (C3FAC) cause in its ongoing efforts to fight the war on firefighter cancer. It’s something Miss Weishuhn has a personal relationship with.
“Two years ago my mom was diagnosed with cancer so this organization is very special to my heart because I do understand what it’s like to have a loved one diagnosed with cancer as well as many years ago my dad was a firefighter for a short time,” Weishuhn said.
The purpose of the nonprofit is to provide financial assistance on a nationwide basis to firefighters battling cancer who are facing a financial hardship.
It’s the first year the group attended the state conference and their goal is education.
“I want them to leave with the understanding that occupational cancer is real. The reports are there from the institute of occupational safety and health and that an occupational cancer death is a line of duty death and we want to do everything to assist those with occupational cancer and prevent those from having occupational cancer,” Captain Brock Terry with the Hampton Fire Department said.
Close to 5,000 firefighters are expected to attend the event and the group’s president says it has a lasting impact.
“It just reminds you why you do it because when you’re out there on the grind everyday it’s hard for the job not to beat you down because you see a lot of bad things but you come but you come back here and remember why you do it, why it’s important with a bunch of people that love it just as much as you do,” SCSFA President Will Vaigneur said.
You can find more information about Code 3 for a Cure here.
