VIDEO: The wife of an Alabama firefighter who died of cancer is making it her mission to make sure other first responders are screened early.
It’s been almost 18 months since the death of Oneonta firefighter Rex Allred. He lost his battle with an aggressive brain tumor in March 2020.
Allred’s wife, Stephanie, recently purchased early detection test kits for two dozen Oneonta firefighters. Equipment will arrive this week.
“It’s not only are they just taking this test for themselves, but they are taking it for their families and the people in the community who trust them and look up to them,” said Allred.
In recent years, doctors and health leaders have said firefighters are at an increased risk for some diseases, like cancer, because of the elements they are exposed to.