Firefighters unite to help colleague with stage 4 cancer – Lexington Herald Leader

When Lexington firefighter Matt Logsdon fought two fires Jan. 26, he had no suggestion that he had phase four cancer.

Logsdon, a 10-year veteran of the department and a father of three, hasn’t been able to job since. After heading to a doctor, Logsdon learned last week that he had cancer affecting his liver, lungs, vertebrae and skull.

“He had no symptoms whatsoever,” Capt. Dustin Whited said. “Among the guys sort of gave your man a difficult time one day and said, ‘Man, you look rough. You should visit the doctor.’”

Whited, colleagues that rode along with Logsdon on Engine 8, and firefighters throughout the department decided to do something to help. They started a GoFundMe page to boost cash to assistance Logsdon’s family along with expenses. A lot more compared to $18,000 has actually been donated so far.

“He shouldn’t have actually to worry regarding feeding his children and maintaining the electric on,” Whited said.

Logsdon, 42, has actually never ever smoked and has actually no family history of cancer, Whited said.

Firefighters may face a heightened risk of cancer as a result of carcinogens in smoke and others hazardous materials, he said.

The Lexington Professional Firefighters IAFF union is supporting a recent bill proposed to point out and regional governments that would certainly offer line-of-duty death incentives for firefighters that die of cancers linked to firefighting, said Capt. Chris Bartley, president of the Lexington union. The bill, SB 138, is sponsored by point out Senators Morgan McGarvey and Christian McDaniel.

“We attempt to take every caution,” Whited said. “However the nature of the beast is we’re exposed to a great deal of things.”

In addition to assisting Logsdon along with his medical expenses, firefighters chance the donations will certainly assistance his wife, Jessica; his two sons, 9 and 16; and his 8-year old daughter, Whited said.

“He’s not seeing have the ability to job through all this,” Whited said. “And as a result of it joining the lungs, no matter the outcome, he probably will certainly never ever job listed here again. Opportunities of coming spine after cancer is slim.”

Friday was declared Firefighter Appreciation Day by Mayor Jim Gray after the fire Saturday that destroyed Blue Grass Stockyards. The firm donated $5,000 to Logsdon, according to Bartley. Some firefighters are hoping the community will certainly follow suit, Whited said.

“Rather than bringing cookies to the station or something, we’re hoping people will certainly donate to that,” he said. “He’s Among us, he’s a firefighter, so it’s even more crucial to us compared to brownies or something brought by the station.”