London firefighters rally around cancer afflicted colleagues
Chris Bruinink has always wanted to be a firefighter — and that’s not changed at 50, even as he begins a third battle with life-threatening cancer.
A cancer he and others are certain was caused by a job he cherishes.
“Love the job, and never regret it even now. This is occupational cancer, but I still don’t regret doing this job," said Bruinink.
His battle with cancer began in November 2020. He’d been feeling tired and passed out at a fire scene.
After a short break, he returned to work only to collapse at another blaze. This time, what he thought was a heart issue was diagnosed as cancer.
“I had a stage four tumour right at my appendix and colon,” he said.
Chris Bruinink during his treatments for cancer. (Courtesy: Chris Bruinink)Bruinink underwent months of treatment and seemed to be improving. He had even returned to work, training new recruits.
Then, just two days before the graduation ceremony he learned his cancer was back.
Following surgery in the U.S., he has just begun another round of chemotherapy.
But he is not facing it alone. Bruinink relies on his wife, his grown children and a much larger family of fellow firefighters.
“You know we’re here for you,” stated London Professional Fire Fighters Association president Jason Timlick.
Chris Bruinink is seen holding one of the wristbands as part of a new campaign to raise awareness about cancers afflicting firefighters. Jan. 9, 2023. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
He invited Bruinink to the fire station to give him the first wristband in a new campaign to raise awareness about cancers afflicting firefighters.
“This is killing us. We need to educate everybody and make sure those who are battling cancer are supported,” Timlick said.
The bands labelled “LPFFA Strong”, will be worn by 440 members of the fire service and their supporters.
January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness month. The disease is now the number one killer of firefighters in North America.
Beyond encouraging public support, it is hoped LPFFA Strong bands will serve as a reminder to firefighters to follow procedures at scenes.
“The reality is when we go in there, we are a giant sponge... We’re absorbing it. We’re ingesting it and it gets on our hands and we touch our mouths,” said Bruinink.
One area safety and cleaning procedures have changed in is the equipment room. Firefighters now have two sets of gear at all times and each is frequently sanitized and inspected.
Chris Bruinink during his treatments for cancer. (Courtesy: Chris Bruinink)London assistant deputy fire chief Gary Bridge said his department is "doing all it can" to maximize safety.
“I’ve worked with several members that have been impacted by cancer. It drives me to do what I do every day, to do research and look at options so this doesn’t happen to anyone else in the fire service,” said Bridge.
And ultimately, Bruinink is speaking out to ensure that happens.
But as he prepares for the next stage in his fight for life, he also takes comfort in knowing he can now take the support of his fellow firefighters with him.
“I know for a fact that no matter what, they are there,” he shared through emotion.
A limited amount of LPFFA Strong wristbands will be made available to the public during January.
A LPFFA Strong wristband pictured in London, Ont. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India trashes Canada for linking home minister to Sikh activist plot
India officially protested on Saturday the Canadian government's allegation that the country's powerful home minister Amit Shah had ordered the targeting of Sikh activists inside Canada, calling it 'absurd and baseless.'
The impact of Trump's lies in Springfield, Ohio
Springfield, Ohio was once a manufacturing hub. Now, people know it for Trump's comments at September's presidential debate, when he famously - and falsely - told an audience of 67 million people that Haitians eat their pets, echoing claims that had circulated on social media.
Iran's supreme leader threatens Israel, U.S. with 'a crushing response' over Israeli attack
Iran's supreme leader on Saturday threatened Israel and the U.S. with 'a crushing response' over attacks on Iran and its allies.
Vancouver quietly proclaimed Chip Wilson Day as billionaire installed sign calling B.C. NDP 'communist'
On the same day Chip Wilson erected a controversial sign at his Vancouver mansion, the city was quietly honouring the billionaire and his wife.
'Election seems really close': Americans in Canada cast ballot ahead of U.S. election
Stephen Winters says watching the U.S. election campaign from Canada as a dual citizen is like a parent watching their kid play sports.
Who is Kemi Badenoch, the first Black woman to lead Britain's Conservative Party?
The first Black woman to lead a major U.K. political party, Kemi Badenoch is an upbeat and outspoken libertarian who thinks the British state is broken.
Spain to send 10,000 soldiers, police to Valencia after deadly floods
Spain is sending 5,000 more soldiers and 5,000 more police to the eastern region of Valencia after deadly floods this week that killed more than 200 people, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced Saturday.
Jury convicts former Kentucky officer of using excessive force on Breonna Taylor during deadly raid
A federal jury on Friday convicted a former Kentucky police detective of using excessive force on Breonna Taylor during a botched 2020 drug raid that left her dead.
Orphaned squirrel who became social media star was euthanized after being seized from New York home
An orphaned squirrel that became a social media star called Peanut was euthanized after state authorities seized the beloved pet during a raid on his caretaker's home, authorities said Friday.