Texas Fire Fighters Shave Heads to Support Brother

September 11, 2008 – Mission, TX Local 3609 fire fighter Ignacio Cantu is fighting cancer for the second time, but he’s not doing it alone. In support, 40 members of Local 3609 shaved their heads.

“Two of our members shaved their heads first and encouraged others to do the same,” says Michael Silva, president of Local 3609. “Many of us feel that shaving our heads is the least we could do as Cantu, yet again, fights for his life.”

Cantu, a 10-year veteran fire fighter, was diagnosed with stomach cancer two years ago. After a year of treatment, he went into remission. Then, seven months later, he was diagnosed with skin cancer.

Mission fire fighters are also showing their support by convincing the City to alter its leave policy to allow sick leave donations after Cantu exhausted his leave. Accordingly, fire fighters donated more than 2,000 hours of leave. This will allow Cantu to be on leave for up to a year.

To offset the financial burdens of cancer treatment, Local 3609 will hold a series of fundraisers.