Fernandina Beach firefighters support breast cancer screenings

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
November 22, 2017 – 11:43 a.m.

At the November 21, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC), Fernandina Beach Fire Chief Ty Silcox and members of C Shift presented a check in the amount of $4,000 to Nassau County Health Department Director Dr. Eugenia Ngo-Seidel to assist local women with breast cancer screenings and treatment.

In addressing the FBCC, Silcox said, “This check was made possible by the staff, community and businesses of Fernandina Beach. The donation will help women who do not meet the eligibility requirement for the state’s Breast and Cervical Health Program.” These women may be under the qualifying age of fifty years, just over the financial threshold, or be recommended for time-sensitive screenings without the ability to pay out-of-pocket.

Throughout the month of October, the Fernandina Beach Fire Department staff wore Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirts as part of their uniforms, in honor of the estimated 252,710 women diagnosed with breast cancer this year (per the American Cancer Society).

These shirts were replicated and purchased by City employees, other local emergency service employees, nurses, teachers, and other members of the community. An event, “Park for Pink,” was also held on October 21, 2017, raising additional funds. Florida Department of Health: Nassau, Dr. Charmaine Sesay, and Baptist Medical Center: Nassau provided women’s health resources at the event. Also, the St. John’s County Chapter of Pink Heals brought “Ashley,” the pink engine and local businesses made donations through food services and bounce houses for families attending with children.

Silcox made a point to thank the individual businesses and sponsors of the event. He also thanked Department Administrative coordinator Kaleigh Simmons for her efforts in coordinating and supporting the fundraising efforts.

Nassau Department Director Dr. Eugenia Ngo-Seidel accepted the check on behalf of the county Health Department. She said, “’Thank you’ does not seem adequate to express our appreciation.” She reported that each year about 30 Nassau County women die of breast cancer, and that there are about 70 newly diagnosed cases. “Sadly, about 30 percent of women are diagnosed at an advanced stage,” she added, stressing, “It’s really important for us as a community, as first responders, to get the message out that there is screening available.” Dr. Ngo-Seidel said that her own mother, now aged 80, is a 20-year survivor of breast cancer. “Spread the word. Breast cancer is survivable if we can diagnose and treat early.”

“Again I want to salute our firefighters,” she said in closing, turning to Chief Silcox and firefighters in attendance. “This is just wonderful what they do to show they care about our community in other ways [than their jobs].”