HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — An Horry County Fire Rescue fireman is opening up about his cancer battle as part of Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.
It’s aimed at helping departments educate ways to prevent cancer and what can be done if you are diagnosed. The American Cancer Society said cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths among firefighters.
Michael Myers has been a firefighter and paramedic for 10 years with Horry County Fire Rescue. At 24 years old, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
He was one year into the job and said he never saw it coming.
“Making somebody’s worst day of their lives just a little better or making them feel OK in the end is worth it,” Myers said. “I’ll continue doing it till my body can’t do it anymore.”
While Myers had cancer, his friends in the firefighter community organized a kick-ball tournament to raise money for him and others struggling with cancer.
“Can never repay them for what they did for us,” Myers said. “Not just financially but friends being there.”