Vice President Joe Biden made a recent stop to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, to call attention to the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative. The federal initiative aims to increase resources for public and private institutions to fight cancer and accelerate the development of new cancer treatments and potential cures.At the request of General President Schaitberger and 9th District Vice President Ray Rahne, two IAFF members were added to the invited guest list for the event – Professional Fire Fighters of Utah (PFFU) President Jack Tidrow and cancer survivor and Salt Lake City Local 81 member Mike Fox, a cancer survivor.
“Near the end of the event, Mike and I had the opportunity to speak briefly with Vice President Biden,” says Tidrow. “After hearing Mike’s survival story, Bidentook additional time with us to discuss national efforts, such as renewing the Zadroga Act, to ensure more and more people survive the disease.”
Fox was a Ground Zero responder with the Utah Task Force in 2001 and has been a rank-and-file fire fighter in Salt Lake City. He was diagnosed with cancer early last year and spent the majority of 2015 at the Huntsman Cancer Institute receiving treatment. After his treatment ended, Fox returned to work and was later promoted to battalion chief.
