Millions of financial support for North Carolina firefighters fighting cancers will be available at the start of 2022 as part of the newly approved state budget.
Studies show firefighters are 9% more likely to get cancer compared to everyone else, and 14% more likely to die from cancer.
With the use of $15 million, the goal is to save firefighters' lives by helping to cover the cost of the cancer treatments that are necessary.
Families could expect a $25,000 lump-sum payment for each diagnosis, along with $12,000 for out-of-pocket medical expenses, and 75% of a firefighter's pay for disability if they are too sick to work.
"We deserve it, we deserve to have something to help us," Drowning Creek volunteer firefighter Melissa Stevenson said.