Massachusetts Firefighters fight pediatric cancer at Fire Up A Cure

BOSTON, July 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Firefighters from across Massachusetts will compete in friendly competition to raise funds for the Jimmy Fund and the Cure It Foundation, Aug. 1.

Emceed by Fox 25 news anchor, Maria Stephanos, the daylong event is open to the public, and will be held inside and outside of Northeastern University's Matthews Arena, 238 St. Botolph Street in Boston. Bagpipers will kick-off the opening ceremony of Fire Up A Cure Boston at 11am and the festivities will run through 5pm.

Teams of five firefighters each will compete in a series of challenges to raise awareness and funding for pediatric cancer and for local children who are battling cancer. Events will include a fire truck pull, a hot wing eating contest sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings South Shore Plaza, an obstacle course, inflatable jousting, tug-of-war, and more. Fire Up A Cure pairs firefighters with pediatric cancer patients to serve as honorary coaches for each team.

This family fun day will also include children's activities such as real fire trucks for children to explore, face painting, a magician, and a balloon artist. The Mix 104FM ice cream truck will be giving away ice cream along with other surprises.

"This foundation is built around a team of people who know firsthand what children and their families go through fighting cancer," said Cure It Foundation Founder Dr. Jason Canner. "Fire Up A Cure started in Chicago four years ago and when the Professional Firefighters of MA heard about it they immediately wanted to participate. We're excited to bring this event to Boston and partner with the Jimmy Fund as our local beneficiary. We're all in this fight together with the kids the core of our team."

"Firefighters are at a higher risk for cancer than the general public due to the toxins we breathe in at every call," said Professional Firefighters of MA president Edward Kelly. "We all know someone struck by cancer but when it's a child it's all the more heartbreaking. We're looking forward to a day of friendly competition, raising much needed funds for pediatric cancer, and giving families who have children in treatment a fun day out."

To learn more please visit http://www.fireupacure.com/

The Cure It Foundation
Founded in 2011, The Cure It Foundation is a grassroots organization built upon the compassion, hard work and dedication of patients, survivors, parents, physicians, nurses and community members. A portion of all funds raised goes directly to pediatric cancer research, helping those actively researching and implementing trials that will lead to curing this life-threatening illness. Locally, The Cure It Foundation supports the communities that sustain the mission by directly giving back to fighters and survivors of childhood cancer through its various programs.

The Jimmy Fund
The Jimmy Fund (www.JimmyFund.org) solely supports Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, raising funds for adult and pediatric cancer care and research to improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world.  The Jimmy Fund is also the official charity of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Pan-Mass Challenge, and the Variety Children's Charity of New England. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped the Jimmy Fund save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide. Follow the Jimmy Fund on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thejimmyfund and on Twitter: @TheJimmyFund.

Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts
The Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts represent more than 12,000 professional firefighters from across the Commonwealth. Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/THE.PFFM and Twitter: @The_PFFM http://www.pffm.org/

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SOURCE Professional Firefighters of MA