Cancer is a prevalent occupational risk for firefighters. In honour of this, on Sunday, May 5, hundreds of firefighters from around the world will climb the stairs of Calgary鈥檚 BOW tower, one of Western Canada鈥檚 tallest buildings, in support of firefighters and citizens living with cancer.

Among them will be Enderby firefighter Andrew Haak.

Haak, 27, said he dreamt about volunteering for the Enderby Fire Department since he was a young child.

鈥淚 grew up two houses down from the fire hall so if they were going out at two in the morning, I was up and looking out the window and wondering where they were going,鈥� he said.

At age 22, his dream became a reality. This November will mark five years that he鈥檚 been with the team. He became aware of the stair climb from a friend and decided to take part about six weeks ago. He had hoped to rally together more of a team to attend with him but it was too last minute this year.

鈥淚鈥檓 hoping to gain some more attention and get guys from the surrounding areas more interested because people come from all over the world to participate and there鈥檚 only a few guys from B.C. who go.鈥�

Haak has a personal connection to raise money and awareness for cancer because his grandfather died of cancer at a young age.

鈥淚鈥檓 definitely motivated by my grandfather,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 have a higher chance of getting cancer because I鈥檓 a firefighter and we go into burning buildings which are full of bad carcinogens and that kind of stuff. I鈥檓 definitely doing it in honour of him.鈥�

Haak plans to raise a for the cause and hopes his community will consider donating.

鈥淚t makes it a little competitve between the fire departments to see who can raise the most but in the end we鈥檙e just hoping to raise awareness because we鈥檙e all just a big family.鈥�

Haak will be travelling to Calgary in May to attend the . Those participating will wear all their equipment (with the exception of their breathing mask) 鈥� including boots, pants, jacket, helmet and SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) 鈥� and climb 775 vertical feet and more than 1,200 steps to raise awareness and funds to stand in solidarity with their fellow first responders in the fight against cancer.

To donate, visit .

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