F.A.C.E.

My name is Tim Catterall, and I am a professional firefighter for the Burlington Fire Department. In November, 2004, at the age of 48, I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

With the diagnoses, I went through “The 5 Stages of Receiving Catastrophic News”. Finally, with the last stage of acceptance, came the realization I wanted to do something to help other people with my disease. I started to sell awareness bands for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. My fellow firefighters all bought one, with many giving more than the nominal $2. Friends and family stepped forward and started to sell bands for me. Every day, I look at what these people are doing to show support and my heart is touched by their compassion.

When I stood up to face the disease, I knew my family and friends were standing with me, but when my fire department also stepped up to the plate, I was stunned. How could this be? I'm just another firefighter who unfortunately acquired a disease. It was my wife who said to me, “Everyone touches other people's lives, as themselves, and you as a firefighter.

I realized another reason of what it meant to be a firefighter - the bond. That's what firefighters are known for - one big family. I know I'm here for a reason. My profession was given to me for a reason. I want to help people. It's in my blood.

I started to think of other firefighters with different forms of cancer. It was not until I told a friend of my disease I knew what to do. He mentioned that my particular disease is covered by WSIB (Workman's Safety Insurance Board), so at least my wife and family will be ok. It felt like somebody had just splashed cold water in my face.

First off, it is a long and grueling process putting in a claim and each case is dealt with individually, meaning coverage is not guaranteed. Secondly, no - my family will not be okay, because I won't be there. I don't want to die early, nobody does. I want to grow old with my wife, see my children get married, and to be a grandparent. With that as my goal, F.A.C.E. was born. F.A.C.E. stands for Firefighters Against Cancer's Existence.

Firefighters are known for their heroic deeds and life-saving skills. Fight fire and save lives - that's what we do. We also donate to different charities, with many firefighters giving of their own time and effort to help the less fortunate. Firefighters are special, going beyond the call of duty to rescue those who need it, with little regard for their own life. That's what we do. It's the way of life of being a firefighter - giving unto others.

Now we have our own home fires burning that need our help. F.A.C.E. was created because cancer of all different kinds is becoming more and more prevalent among firefighters. There is no discrimination in the eyes of cancer. To it, everyone is equal. For the people who fight fires, you are at a much greater risk, some more than others, but the outcome is the same, cancer is taking away good people before their time. We are treating the symptoms; not the causes of cancer. We must not stop lobbying to gain coverage and recognition, but we have to prevent the fire from the beginning. That fire is cancer.

When there is a battle to fight that can touch every one of us, then we as firefighters stand together, side-by-side, local-to-local, and county to country: one united force against an evil that knows no bounds. No one is immune, but when it gets tough, the tough get going, and we are that tough. We stand for our brothers and sisters afflicted with this dreadful disease, and now is the time to stand together as one.

Our union brother and sisters are fighting to get coverage that is so desperately needed, but it is a long and uphill battle. We all need to support them in their battle any way we can. That way is with F.A.C.E.

The goal is life; the plan is simple. For one special day, once a year, we will start by asking every firefighter in Canada and the USA to stand united in our cause and donate $5 to F.A.C.E.

That does not mean others cannot donate and other events to raise money will still happen, but for one brief moment in time, it is our hope that all firefighters everywhere will stand together side by side for “ Firefighters Against Cancer's Existence.

Many of you want to help, but find duties, lack of time, and just life in general sometimes prevent us from becoming involved. It will take no more than a minute to reach into your wallet and remove $5 to put towards F.A.C.E. You will then reap the benefits of knowing your gesture helped hundreds of firefighters and millions of people. Your donation took all of us a step closer to ending cancer.

F.A.C.E. monies will only be used to support the research and development of a cure for many various cancers that afflict firefighters. Supporting research and development to find a cure will not only help our firefighters, it will help all others afflicted as well, and that's what we do best - help others. We will support the top research people and facilities to help us conquer this disease.

Other events are being planned to help raise money for our cause but that one day, once a year, will never be changed. That will always be the firefighter's day – a day to stand united. We want to put our F.A.C.E. in front of everyone and let them know we, the firefighters, are here to help.

Burlington will be the starting point as F.A.C.E. was created in part because of the caring and compassion of the men and women from the Burlington Fire Department. But it is not going to stop there. This is just the beginning. Future plans are now in the works to have our FACE right across Canada, then the United States, and eventually, the world.

Ontario donations to F.A.C.E. are turned over to Princess Margaret Hospital, t he only institution in Canada devoted exclusively to cancer treatment, research and education. Princess Margaret Hospital is a recognized international leader in the fight against cancer .

We will divide the donations equally among those cancers that mainly affect firefighters. Firefighters may have cancer, but we don't give up. Neither should you. People trust and believe in firefighters and we can make a difference. So please put on your F.A.C.E., stand together and do what we do best - help people.

Thank-you

Tim Catterall
And the F.A.C.E. Team