Fire department raises thousands for local cancer center
The fire department donated money raised from the “give cancer the axe” T-shirt fundraiser to 24 Hours in the Canyon Cancer Survivorship Center on December 11.
A little more than a week—that’s how long it took for the Pantex Fire Department to sell the 500 shirts that raised thousands of dollars during Breast Cancer Awareness month.
The department donated the $5,820 it raised from the “give cancer the axe” shirt sale to 24 Hours in the Canyon Cancer Survivorship Center, whose mission is to provide resources that meet and address the unique needs of cancer survivors.
Fire Captain Thomas Pahl, who organized the fundraiser, said it is second nature for first responders to want to give back to people in their surrounding areas.
“Serving the community is an integral component to the profession,” Pahl said. “The survivorship center’s mission closely aligns with the fire department’s mission of caring for people. While our efforts may not fund a cure, it’s reassuring to know this can help provide those dealing with cancer additional options as they navigate a difficult journey.”
The survivorship center provides programs and services free for any adult survivor during and after the completion of treatment. The free services range from personal training, nutrition, art classes, group exercise, book clubs, and mind-body practices like mentoring or yoga. The center also has an application process for assisting cancer patients who are financially stressed while undergoing treatments. There may even be a time when a Pantexan or their family member may benefit from the center’s services.
“Pantex is one of the largest employers in our region, and has employed personnel from all areas of the Texas Panhandle,” Pahl said. “I see giving back to the community as a lifelong commitment that is a form of compassion in action. If it makes a difference for even one person, it’s worth the extra time and effort.”
This fundraiser is just one of the many ways the fire department gives back. They participate in food drives, cookoffs, and other community-building events throughout the year. Community involvement is a cornerstone of the Emergency Services mission.
“For most first responders, our interaction with the public tends to happen on their worst day—whether it’s a medical emergency, traffic incident, house fire, or other situation,” Pahl said. “During those times, responders set up to help no matter the weather conditions, time of day, or occasion, and we do our part to alleviate the situation.”
Pahl said he believes they can improve the image of responders by presenting themselves in the public during non-emergent times and lending a helping hand—which is exactly what the department did during the T-shirt fundraiser.
“If you spend any time at all here, you quickly learn of the contagious Panhandle spirit that easily stirs the willingness to care and support one another,” Pahl said. “That, along with the nature of our profession, caring for people and supporting our communities, comes pretty naturally.”
That support continued with the recent High Plains Food Bank ‘Together We Can’ food drive. The fire department cooked burgers and hotdogs at the ribbon cutting to kick off the event.
