Every morning, retired Phoenix Fire Capt. Bill Rini takes time to care for his colostomy and uroscopy bags. After more than 30 years riding fire trucks, he now lives with daily reminders of the cancer that nearly took his life.
“When I first got into firefighting back in 1989, we never worried about the smoke, we never worried about the carcinogens that were soaking into our skin,” Rini said in the new documentary, “Dying to Save You.” “That’s your base for every type of cancer that we’re getting.”
Rini was first diagnosed with occupational cancer in 1999 and would go on to face three more diagnoses over the next 25 years. “The cancer this last time around broke me. That’s the first time I’ve said that out loud,” he said in the film.
His bladder, prostate, and urethra were removed, along with undergoing chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, forced Rini to live in constant pain.
“He’s lived with repeated cancer diagnoses for 20 years, and his quality of life has been devastated,” said Local 493 President Bryan Willingham. “We don’t want another fire fighter, or anyone really, to go through that.”
“Dying to Save You” is a 27-minute documentary created in partnership with the 493 Firefighter Foundation, Phoenix, AZ Local 493, and directed by longtime collaborator Patrick Gramm. The film follows the personal journeys of three Phoenix fire captains: Rini, Tommy Sagnella, and the late Anthony Mock, who were each diagnosed with occupational cancer.
“In the film, Rini talks about being told he can’t ride the truck anymore,” said Local 493 Secretary and Capt. Scott Crowley. “That day comes for all of us, but many don’t get to choose it, and maybe that fear is why some hesitate to get screened for cancer.”
For Willingham, the film is more than a powerful tribute, it’s a call-to-action. “Honestly, it’s probably the most important thing we’re doing,” Willingham said. “In the union world, we fight for wages, hours, and working conditions, but it’s time we expand that to include quality of life.”
Honestly, it’s probably the most important thing we’re doing. In the union world, we fight for wages, hours, and working conditions, but it’s time we expand that to include quality of life.
phoenix, az local 493 president bryan willingham
Local 493 played a role in bringing the documentary to life. After years of organizing charity events like fishing tournaments and annual galas, Willingham says the union shifted their focus internally after the pandemic. “What we discovered was that people actually wanted to donate directly to fire fighters,” said Willingham. “The philanthropic community made it clear that it mattered to them.”
Today, that support helps fund cancer and PTSD screenings, treatment, and care, filling the gaps insurance often leaves behind.
“The mental and emotional toll on the fire fighter, their family, their kids are enormous,” said Crowley. “That’s why we created the Firefighters United Against Cancer movement. The film is one part of it.”
Sagnella had no symptoms when he went in for a scan, that later revealed a tumor on his kidney that had been growing for six or seven years. Thanks to early detection and treatment, Sagnella is now cancer-free. Mock discovered he had stage 4 cancer after going in for a routine screening. “I knew occupational cancer was a risk associated with the fire service,” Mock said in the film. “Brian Beck Jr. died from occupational cancer at a very young age, and that had always been in the back of my mind.”
Mock hoped sharing his story would encourage others to get screened early. “Anthony Mock was a delegate at last year’s convention in Boston,” said Crowley. “He had already been diagnosed, and during the opening ceremony, as the names of fallen fire fighters were displayed, he turned to us and said, ‘My name will be up there next year.’”
Mock died just five months later in January 2025. He was 39.
“We knew it was coming, but that doesn’t make it easier. You become deeply connected not just to them, but to their families,” said Willingham. “I met Anthony’s mother, his sisters, his extended family. It becomes incredibly personal. Even now, every time I watch the film, I get choked up. It’s impossible not to.”
Capt. Anthony Mock was a delegate at last year’s convention in Boston. He had already been diagnosed, and during the opening ceremony, as the names of fallen fire fighters were displayed, he turned to us and said, ‘My name will be up there next year.’
local 493 secretary scott crowley
In the weeks following his passing, Crowley said more than 400 Arizona fire fighters scheduled cancer screenings. “I hope he’s smiling down, knowing he helped save lives,” said Crowley.
After Mock’s death, the fire service community rallied around his loved ones. “When Mock’s daughters went back to school, 300 to 400 fire fighters lined the walkway in uniform,” said Crowley. “Some didn’t even know the family. They were just there because that’s who we are. That’s how we show those kids that we meant it when we said, ‘We will never forget.’”
As Local 493 continues to lead in the fight against occupational cancer, their work is gaining attention far beyond Arizona.
This documentary should be shown to every politician and fire fighter to demonstrate the toll cancer has on our members and the importance for early cancer screening to give our members a fighting chance.
10th district vice president stephen gilman
“Cancer is an epidemic in the fire service,” said IAFF 10th District Vice President Stephen Gilman in a statement. “Kudos to Local 493 and the documentary for showing the impact it can have on our members. This documentary should be shown to every politician and fire fighter to demonstrate the toll cancer has on our members and the importance for early cancer screening to give our members a fighting chance.”
As part of a broader IAFF effort to confront cancer head-on, Local 493 hopes “Dying to Save You” not only raises awareness but saves lives.
“Every fire department has someone who’s battled cancer. Most have lost someone to occupational cancer,” said Willingham. “If we can help one department advocate to city leaders or the philanthropic community, then we’re doing the right thing.”
