A Massachusetts firefighter has died after a courageous battle with cancer, the chief of the Fitchburg Fire Department announced.
Lt. Eddie Suarez, who was president of Local 3128 and an active Fitchburg firefighter, died early Sunday morning after battling cancer for a long time, the fire department said on Facebook.
Suarez had been battling "job-related cancer," according Local 3128.
Lt. Suarez was dedicated to serving the citizens of Fitchburg and members of the firefighters' union, the group said on Twitter.
"Eddie served the citizens of the city & members of the local with tenacity, pride and dedication," the union said in a tweet. "Rest In Peace."
A growing body of research and data shows that job-related exposures contribute to chronic illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease.