For those that are checking out the website recently, or who have seen the jersey or sign at an event and wanted to know a little more, I decided to post a small bio about FF4CURES.  

I sat down a little over three years ago and began brainstorming a way to tie my love of writing, philanthropy, and competitions all together. Every event that I would compete in had a separate page, every year was different, and It gave me no place to really live at online. Hence, out of that desire to do more, promote, pay forward, and get the word out even more, my blog FF4CURES was born.

What do I support

When I started competing 11 years ago, the event that got me hooked was the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb, which benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Even with all of the events that I participate and fundraise for, the Scott Climb for the LLS is my premier one that I do the most for. Over the past 11 years I have raised almost $23,000 for the LLS AND I’M NOT DONE YET!!! Why? Because in 1986, my mother was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia and fought until 1990 which she received the first unrelated and not a full match bone marrow transplant at The Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Why is this important, because I watched what my mother and many others have went through and something must be done to eliminate these terrible diseases. Its easy to champion for such an amazing cause when your ties run so deep

What else do I champion for? Great question! In addition to being an ambassador to the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb for the last three years, I also support Big Climb Philly, another amazing LLS event. Here are a few others and organizations that I enjoy supporting:

• Tunnel to Towers – Climb and Run Series – http://tunnel2towers.org
• Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland – http://www.rmhcleveland.org
• 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb series for the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation – https://www.firehero.org/events/9-11-stair-climbs/
• Riley Children’s Hospital of Indianapolis
• Arthritis Foundation of Central Ohio
• Numerous local and regional firefighter runs and competitions for great causes that put money to work directly helping people!

How does my fundraising work?

Fundraising is a very touchy subject with me that I am VERY open about. Unless otherwise noted, when I post links to fundraising pages…the funds you donate go directly to the cause. I don’t touch this money, I’d rather not, and rather it just go to my goals of making a difference. With that said, from time to time I will fundraise to meet a specific logistical need or have sponsors that step up with paying entry fees or other items so that I can go compete in the events. With that said, I do accept and seek sponsorships throughout the year with the ability to advertise for them and their products, businesses, and organizations.

What am I promoting?

Well, in addition to promoting some great events to encourage participation, fundraising, and getting their message out there, its about the actual causes and what they exist for. What does the LLS do? What is the need? Why are they needing help? On top of that, there is firefighter fitness and wellbeing, firemanship, and a variety of other topics. Its amazing to hear stories of those that I come across in my travels that have followed along and have started or kept going because of what they’ve seen here. The climbers and runners that have started pushing toward a cause or changing their life because of something I said is an ultimate reward for me.

There is SO much negativity and so many people out there just copying the same ol content that there is no need for more of the same. My content is just that, my own, and my own thoughts.

Who am I?

The reality… A firefighter, a writer, a photographer, an avid fitness guy, a techie, and a guy that just honestly wants to make a difference in the world. While FF4CURES may be authored by me, ultimately this is just a place to work from and support OTHERS and put their CAUSES out there.