| The Code 3 for a Cure Foundation (www.code3foracure.org) is a national nonprofit 501(c)3 public charity with a three-fold purpose: (1) provide financial assistance to firefighters (whether salaried, paid call, or volunteer) across the country who are stricken with cancer and facing a financial hardship; (2) support active and retired firefighters diagnosed with cancer, and help minimize the effects of cancer among firefighters, by giving encouragement and sharing our experiences. (This is achieved, in part, through an Annual Mission of Honor and Hope); and (3) provide financial support to select other nonprofit cancer organizations.
Our goal is to have 80% of our funds going directly to firefighters in need who are battling cancer, 10% to other nonprofits in need that we believe to be deserving of a contribution from Code 3, and the remaining 10% to operating costs. NO ONE who works for Code 3 for a Cure gets paid a salary; all who become involved do so strictly on a voluntary basis.
Although we have not yet reached our percentage goals, we have begun issuing checks to firefighters in small amounts, based on our current level of funding. (Recipients are not required to repay the funds issued.) Additionally, the Foundation is growing in many ways, including the involvement of firefighters and other athletes across the country who are representing our cause by competing in various races and athletic events to raise funds; and we have faith that, with their help and that of fire departments, locals, corporations, and others, we will achieve our 80/10/10 percentage goal.
Like many worthy causes, Code 3 for a Cure was formed out of one person's struggles. President and Founder Lorenzo Abundiz (Firefighter/Engineer, Santa Ana, California, USA), a 27-year veteran of the fire service, was first diagnosed with cancer in 1998, forced into an early medical disability retirement in 2001, and since then has been diagnosed with two other cancers.
So what's the meaning behind the term "Code 3?" The term is used to refer to an emergency vehicle going to the highest level of response in an emergency situation, when lights and sirens are utilized. Its meaning in the context of this organization is, let's move to the highest level of response to help cure the effects of cancer by helping one group who, statistically, are one of the most heavily afflicted by the disease.
Read more at www.code3foracure.org. |
