It’s been nearly a year since Midway Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Josh Carney died battling cancer.
Sunday, his family and fellow firefighters are kept his name and legacy alive, by raising awareness of firefighter occupational cancer, meaning cancer that may be linked to being a firefighter.
“I don’t want anyone’s wife to go through this,” said Lillian Carney, Josh’s wife.
That emotional message is something she shares with firefighters across the country, urging them to step up their cancer prevention efforts.
Together Lillian and Josh's cousin Kristine have teamed together to create, the Carney Strong Initiative, helping small and rural fire departments get materials and supplies that could help prevent cancer or firefighters, things that Carney believes could’ve saved her husband’s life had they known about the risks.
The initiative was named after Josh Carney, who lost his battle to cancer at the young age of 41.
“To get cancer prevention items like the wipes and the soap, the detox is going to be put to really good use,” said Midway Fire Chief, Doug Eggiman.