Retired Vista fire captain walks to raise awareness during Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A retired Vista fire captain is walking to make a difference during Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.
Retired Vista Fire Department Captain Bob Stacey and his buddy Bob Nunez were busy trekking the busy streets of North County on Tuesday.
They set out to hike 15 miles in one day from Lake San Marcos to downtown Encinitas to raise awareness for Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, which is January. Their steps all for a purpose.
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'I just always liked action and wanted a career that I give back to the community,' said Stacey.
Stacey was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019. Six weeks of daily radiation treatments and 5 years later, Bob is cancer free.
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Now he wants to help other firefighter's battling cancer.
'Two-thirds of firefighters working in the fire service today will be diagnosed with occupational cancer,' Stacey said. 'Testicular cancer, breast cancer in females, a lot of blood cancers. I take a guy to chemo every week that has blood cancer.'
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But he wants his journey to mean something for others. 'Whatever I can do to help,' said Stacey.
His emotion, an endearing quality that captures the motivation behind all of his years of service.
'I miss it. I'd go back tomorrow if I could,' said Stacey.
Stacey said he hoped his impromptu idea to trek down the streets of San Marcos, Carlsbad and Encinitas with his buddy would garner some donations for the organization that's helping so many firefighters.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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