Fighting More Than Fires

Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department (OWL VFD) supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing “pink ribbon” duty shirts as part of their uniform during October. “OWL VFD supports initiatives that promote the health and wellness of the community we serve,” Chief Rick Michael stated. “Cancer has touched almost everyone’s life, including members of our department. We want to remind them that they are not alone, that we care.” Chief Michael’s own wife fought and won a difficult battle with breast cancer several years ago.

OWL VFD member Erika Villeda lost her long and courageous fight with breast cancer in 2018. Villeda was a positive, upbeat person, and it was a difficult loss for her fire department family. She was memorialized by the department that year with her initials on the sleeves of that year’s Breast Cancer shirts.  Department PIO Rebecca Barnes credits Villeda for saving her life. “On the eve of her funeral, as we were draping the truck with black bunting, I realized I was eight months late with my mammogram. I had the script; I just had failed to set the appointment.” Barnes said. “I made the appointment, had my mammogram, and that’s when I found out I had cancer in both breasts.”

Fortunately, Barnes’s cancer was caught early enough that after a double partial mastectomy and treatment, she made a full recovery. “It’s a long-standing tradition in the fire service to support breast cancer awareness, and now studies show that Female Firefighters face an increased risk of breast cancer,” said Barnes.  “We want those fighting breast cancer to know we care and that we stand and fight with them.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. OWL VFD asks that you join in wearing pink to fight against #breastcancer, and reminds all women over 40 to do self-checks and get their annual mammograms.