CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Carlos Torres is a retired firefighter who devotes his time to helping raise money to fight cancer.
The popular Corpus Christi Cancer Awareness and Relief Efforts (C.A.R.E.) campaign raises money for non-profit organizations that help cancer patients, and local firefighters who are battling the disease.
Torres, the group’s president, said in Texas, his organization is the one that sells the most shirts. The group is hoping to sell out this year again.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, firefighters have a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general US population.
"It's not getting any easier out here,” he said. “Every year, more and more firefighters, first responders are diagnosed with cancer. And it doesn't seem we are beating it, we're trying to but we do our little part."
Torres says every shirt sold helps someone fighting cancer even local firefighters such as Mark Solis, who was a big contributor to the campaign and died in May of colon cancer.
“We have several that have retired and that are active,” Torres said. “Possibly, anywhere from 8 to 10 that go up for treatments in Houston or to other cities."
Torres said the Corpus Christi Fire Department has made changes when it comes to protecting firefighters from getting cancer.
"One thing we are doing is, we have a crew, after they go to a fire, the equipment is contaminated -- it has to be cleaned, and they'll issue them a second set of bunker gear to wear for the remainder of their shift,” he said. “If they have another fire, they'll do the same."
Torres says shirts will be sold starting tomorrow from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Corpus Christi Professional Firefighters’ Association hall.
The organization will also be selling T-shirts at Art Walk in Downtown Corpus Christi on Friday night.