The Phoenix Project 780

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The Phoenix Project 780

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Raising Cancer Awareness in the Firefighting Community

Inspired by loss and fueled by hope, our mission is to actively encourage and help fire departments, along with their firefighters, establish safer practices to reduce harmful exposures that can lead to a cancer diagnosis. All funds raised by The Phoenix Project 780 are purposefully used to make a difference in the lives of the firefighters through cancer awareness and prevention.

10/27/2026

As we head into the season of giving, if you are interested in helping us encourage cancer patients, here is how you can help!

Cancer isn’t exclusive to those in fire services… We recognize it impacts so many people from so many different walks of life. For many of those patients, long days are spent in the hospital as they receive chemotherapy, immunotherapy, fluids, and blood/plasma/platelet infusions.

Each year, we come together with community members and donate to cancer centers specifically with the mental health of patients and their caretakers in mind. Long hours are spent sitting watching meds drip from IV bags. Praying the medicine will work. Praying for time. Praying for remission. Praying for a cure. Our goal is to make days a little brighter by distracting patients and caretakers from their current situation, even if it’s just for a little bit. We know firsthand how hard that path can be and we want them to know that an entire community is thinking about them.

We do this by donating adult coloring books, colored pencils, brain game activity books, decks of playing cards, reading books of encouragement and prayer, stress fidgets, and cancer support cinch bags directly to cancer centers. The items are then passed out to cancer patients and care givers over the next few weeks while they are having infusions. Over the last two and a half years, we have been able to make 5 of these donations worth roughly $3,500. We feel extremely blessed that so many of you feel called to partner with us in so many ways, and we would love for you to think about partnering with us again as we give back to the cancer center families.

In full transparency, posted are a few pictures from some of our past donations and below, you will find our Amazon wish list. Please know none of the money we raise through shirt sales, fundraisers, or direct donations is spent on our community outreach program. This outreach is strictly community members supporting those walking through a cancer journey. You will also see that our wish list has things such as rubber gloves, garbage bags, and duct tape. Those items are supplies that we donate directly to fire departments and put in the hands of firefighters to help them mitigate the carcinogenic exposures they encounter while on calls through our Phoenix Rising Grant. If you are led to help, please know all of the items on the list are appreciated.

If you made it this far reading, thank you for taking the time to do so. We couldn’t do the work we do without the support of others. If you need our shipping address, please message us and we can share that with you. Thank you for helping us help others.

*The Phoenix Project 780 is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3PTQZODRAT4DP?ref_=wl_share

10/07/2026

I know. It's just a t-shirt. But man, it is crazy how many places these shirts go... How many people see them. How much awareness they bring to occupational cancer within the fire services.

I've said it before, and I know I will say it again, but it is so fun seeing all of the places these shirts go... these pictures were taken in Egypt at the Great Pyramids!

Proceeds from our merch line are how we fund our monthly grants to put mitigation supplies directly into the hands of fire fighters. If you want one, let us know and we can get you set up! Short sleeve, long sleeve, hoodies, crew necks, challenge coins, decals, koozies... we have you covered!

09/10/2026

It’s always fun getting random pictures of our shirts in different places. This one though…

It was taken today at the 9/11 museum in New York City. 343 fire fighters lost their lives that day with hundreds more dying from health related incidents in the years following. Our hearts are with the survivors, the victims families, and with those still fighting cancer from their exposures. I pray you take a moment this weekend to remember how quickly it can all change.

07/20/2026

📍Colorado Springs, Colorado

When you go to a memorial service, it can be overwhelming. The formal protocol, the speed at which the service moves, the sheer volume of people, the emotions…. It’s a lot to process.

There is something sacred about standing on memorial grounds in the quiet of a summer night when no one else is around. You have time to remember, to have gratitude, and to reflect on how life has changed. And it’s not because you are there for a service, but because you wanted to be there, and you came back. To honor each and every name on the wall. To remember every sacrifice made resulting in a line of duty death- a structural collapse, an entrapment, a medical event on a call, a cancer diagnosis, the list goes on.

The International Association of Fire Fighters and the Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters Association will forever hold a place in my heart. The pride, dedication, and commitment they have in maintaining the grounds for the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Colorado Springs is beyond commendable. If you have the opportunity to join the IAFF, you should go do it. The honor they bestow on our loved ones is second to none. Thank you for giving us this place to go and remember. I will be grateful for it for all the days of my life.

CSFD Station One C Shift, I’m glad I got to spend some time with y’all! Thank you for your hospitality and for what you do for the citizens of Colorado Springs. They are lucky to have such an amazing crew showing up for them.

Local548

06/04/2026

Y'ALL!!!! The NIOSH National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer just hit 50,000 enrollments! 50 THOUSAND FIREFIGHTERS!!! How blessed are we to know that together, we can carry this load. As a proud NFR Champion, we’re thrilled to celebrate this massive step forward in occupational health. This data helps researchers better understand cancer risks and identify what keeps firefighters safe. Thank you to everyone who stepped up to help plant these seeds for shade later. In truth, our work isn't done. Every new registration ensures all ranks and backgrounds are represented across the study.

Help us strengthen the science. Join today and change the future for firefighters!
Nationally: https://nfr.cdc.gov/
NC Registry: https://sites.duke.edu/ncffccs/

05/19/2026

Sometimes, pulling off a surprise is actually doable. And last night, on Monday May 18th, we were able to pull off a good one…

Just outside of Rocky Mount, N.C., you will find the small town of Battleboro. Located in Nash County, the Battleboro Community Volunteer Fire Department has a mix of 31 volunteer and paid firefighters that respond to just under 5,000 citizens while covering roughly 17 square miles. A few months ago, B.F.D. applied for the Phoenix Rising Initiative. In March, their board stepped up their commitment to ensuring firefighter safety by implementing a decontamination policy, which opened the door for us to be able to donate mitigation supplies to their department.

Last night, Battleboro Fire Department received the monthly Phoenix Rising Grant for May 2026. The fire department, chartered on May 16, 1948, has never had the ability to wash turnout gear unless it involved scrubbing it by hand or transporting dirty gear to a neighboring department. 78 years as a department. Of serving the citizens of Nash County. Of showing up in the worst of times. And last night, we were able to show up for them and surprise them with the news that we are donating an extractor to their department. We are so thankful to once again be working with AEST Inc. as we move forward with this project and cannot wait for the extractor to be installed. Having access to an extractor is crucial for firefighters to be able to safely and effectively clean their gear of the carcinogens and contaminates they encounter on calls.

The donation, valued at $10,000.00, includes a Circul-Air Express 22lb Soft Mount Commercial Grade Extractor, a wiring harness with an automatic dosing pump, 112 Responder Wipes, 7.25 gallons of CitriSqueeze turn out gear cleaner, 1.25 gallons of SC-14 equipment cleaner, 40 gear transport garbage bags, 300 protective gloves, 3 rolls of duct tape, 2 bottles of Responder Charcoal Body Wash, and replacement hose for the extractor. Thanks to those of you who donated towards the install, we were also able to cover all the additional hook-up costs that were needed to complete the installation.

It felt very fitting to make this donation in memory of Chief James “Eddie” Hardee Jr. Chief Hardee became involved in fire services as a teenager when his father helped establish the Battleboro Fire Department. He went on to spent more than 49 years in fire services, serving 42 of those years as the fire chief for Battleboro Fire Department, then serving as the board president. Saying the department was a part of him would truly be an understatement. Chief Hardee passed away at the age of 68, less than 4 weeks after his diagnosis with pancreatic cancer.

I know it is said all the time, but we could not do the work we do without the support of others! For every merch purchase, donation, share/like, in-kind supply donation, corporate sponsorship- THANK YOU! Truly, we couldn’t do it without you! If you would like to support our mission by donating or purchasing merch, you can do that through the website or send us a message here on FB and we can get you squared away! If your department is interested in applying for a Phoenix Rising grant, the application can be found on our website.

05/14/2026

It’s always a fun day to get a surprise delivery from Thin Red Line Decon!! We are so thankful for their continued support of our mission. TRLD is where we get all of our responder wipes & our charcoal wash from… you can buy it for personal use or departmental use and they will ship it straight to you. Go see them & tell them we sent you 😉
https://thinredlinedecon.com/

05/10/2026

Today was year 4… felt fitting to spend the day at the NC Fallen Firefighter Memorial as 12 names were added to the wall, several of which had occupational cancer.

05/07/2026

When I started this "project" two and a half years ago, I never dreamed it would be bigger than something that was local and I figured it would only be relevant for a few weeks at most. Watching the direction and role that we have moved into has been such a journey. Last month, I received an email, and then a phone call, that really confirmed we are making a difference.

I would never have expected to hear from Dr. Fent, the one running the NFR (National Firefighter Registry for Cancer) through the CDC & NIOSH (Center for Disease Control & National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) but I did. He'd heard mention of us and wanted to hear firsthand what we are doing, together, to help those in the fire service. To be able to tell him that we are able to put mitigation supplies in the hands of firefighters and extractors in departments, while simultaneously having the hard conversations about the reality of cancer with those same firefighters, was humbling. Those same firefighters that we are reaching are listening, and they are advocating for their health, and it shows in our cancer cohort study. To those of you who are firefighters and are participating in the study at the state and/or national level, they see you. To those of you who support us and allow us to go into departments to have these conversations and show them the support we do, they see you too.

I am extremely proud of our state, of our cancer study, and of the incredible team behind it. I am also extremely proud to say that The Phoenix Project 780 has been recognized as a national champion for our efforts in reducing occupational cancer within the fire services.

Thanks to each of you who stands with us, supports us, and allows us to do the work we do... we couldn't do it without you. I hope you share in the pride of this recognition.

Just as an FYI, here is some interesting data the studies have found and some of the ongoing research being conducted:
• 31.4% of firefighters with cancer are under the age of 44
• Skin cancer is the #1 cancer diagnosis, followed by prostate, thyroid, and kidney cancer
• Firefighters who donate plasma have substantially lower PFAS levels than those who have never donated
• People who drink bottled water have ~15% lower PHS levels
• People who use well water have ~15% higher PFOA levels than those on municipal water
• Over 400 stations across the state had their well water tested and a handful were identified for high levels of PFAS, likely reflective of AFFF
*If your department was one of these stations, your chief was notified immediately
• Turnout gear is being tested to compare BFRs and PFAS levels
• Fire departments are having air samples taken and analyzed
• Studies are being conducted on the best ways to launder turnout gear

The research throughout this study is incredible and would not be possible without the cooperation of the fire departments and the firefighters who serve our communities. For those of you involved in the study, thank you for leading the way.

To find out more about the NC Firefighter Cancer Study:
https://sites.duke.edu/ncffccs/

To find out more about the National Firefighter Registry:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/registry/index.html
(we have been listed as one of the national champions on their page)

05/06/2026

You go on a fire. You breathe in some junk. You go home. Maybe you get cancer, maybe not. Nothing to it, right? You are a firefighter... that's what is expected. When I hear that logic, it literally stops me in my tracks.

Ever wonder what the exposure to chemicals and heavy metals from those calls do to your body? How do they impact and increase cancer risks? Are there certain levels in your blood that you should be aware of?

Lucky for you, there is a study that actually LOOKS at the blood of firefighters to evaluate how those exposures impact them... there is actually more than one of them. I have the honor of serving on the board for the North Carolina Firefighter Cancer Cohort Study, led by Dr. Heather Stapleton and Dr. Bryan Ormond. The NC FFCCS utilizes researchers from the Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment, the Duke Cancer Institute, and the NC State University Wilson College of Textiles to tackle the issues of cancer risk among firefighters based on their exposures to harmful chemicals and what role their gear plays in that. This study partners with the National Firefighter Cancer Cohort Study and gives the fire community a much larger picture of what is happening within fire services. The goal is to set new standards for safety and health in the fire service while fostering a future where every firefighter can serve with confidence knowing their well-being is prioritized.

If you would like to participate in this study, it is open to all firefighters, volunteer and paid, old and new, male and female. Everyone matters. And participation is simple- complete a survey, provide a blood and urine sample, maybe wear a silicone wristband, and then be open for follow up every 18-24 months. One of the perks? You get your bloodwork results sent directly to you so you can track your personal exposures and advocate for your own health with your healthcare team. Umm, yes please.

This research is life changing and is planting seeds for shade later for those in the fire service. You can visit the websites of both the NC study and the national study (or look up your state and see if they are participating) for more information.

*If you are centrally located in NC, there will be an enrollment event tonight, May 6, and on Tuesday, May 12, at the South Sailsbury Fire Department.

https://www.ffccs.org/north-carolina
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/registry/index.html

Address

Willow Spring, NC

Website

http://phoenixproject780.org/

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