DALLAS — At a lab in the Medical District of Dallas, Cancer Check Labs is behind a big project aiming to detect cancer early in firefighters.
Cancer is the number one cause of death in firefighters. Two out of three will be diagnosed, which is more than three times the general population's cancer rate.
"The key to curing cancer is to catch it early," said Sumit Rai, founder and CEO of Cancer Check Labs.
With one blood draw, Rai said, the breakthrough technology can identify more than 200 types and subtypes of solid tumors.
"All tumors are known to shed in order to spread," said Rai. "We are able to extract these whole tumor cells intact such that we can put them on the glass slide. So that way, we can grab the tissue without actually having to go in for a surgical biopsy."
On Monday, seven retired Dallas firefighters went to Cancer Check Labs and got the blood test done. The results will be ready in a few weeks.
Retired Deputy Chief Daniel DeYear was among them.
"Every one of us here has stories of people we work with who have died of cancer," DeYear said.
When DeYear met Rai, he realized they were on the same mission to detect cancer early in firefighters. Their goal is to make sure every firefighter can get this blood test to screen for cancer.
A new 501(c)(3) nonprofit called Adopt a Firefighter has been established, and will be launching in Dallas, Highland Park and Park Cities. About $2.5 million worth of tests will be donated, meaning 1,000 firefighters can screen for free. They are raising additional money to provide 1,000 more tests to cover every firefighter in the three departments.
The city of Dallas has nearly 2,000 firefighters.
"If you test all 2,000 firefighters in Dallas tomorrow, I promise you will have hundreds of positive tests," DeYear said.
By detecting cancer early, he hopes it will save countless of firefighters' lives.
On Oct. 26 at 1224 S. Cesar Chavez Blvd. in Dallas, a Firefighter Fight Night Fundraiser will be held to help raise money for the blood test for firefighters. An online fundraiser has also been established.