January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, and here in Indianapolis, some firefighters are helping ensure that recently diagnosed firefighters get the help they need.
Tim McDonnell retired from the Indianapolis Fire Department after working at Station 44 on the east side for 40 years.
In 2000, McDonnell received news that would change his life. "I was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer on Oct. 19th, 2000," McDonell said.
The cancer was located in his upper throat, and he has since beat it.
But, that's not the case for all firefighters. In fact, the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) says firefighters have a 9% higher risk of getting cancer and it's the leading cause of death for firefighters.