For more than a decade, the Lombard Fire Department and the Lombard Firefighters Union Local 3009 have been dedicated supporters of Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital’s Bhorade Cancer Center, raising critical funds to support local cancer patients and their families.
“It was a joint venture that started in 2014,” explained Bob Hopper, firefighter and paramedic, who organizes these fundraising efforts. “We decided to sell pink T‑shirts every October, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to raise funds to support the Bhorade Cancer Center. We chose the center because we wanted our donations to benefit people in the community we serve.”
In the first couple of years, they raised about $1,000 each October. As word spread and people saw firefighters and community members wearing the T‑shirts, demand grew.
“We partner with local restaurants to sell T‑shirts. We receive orders from patients and staff at the hospital, and whatever we have left, we sell at our open house event,” Bob shared. “Last year, we raised $6,000.”
To date, the Lombard Fire Department and firefighters’ union have raised more than $40,000, with proceeds supporting various programs and services for the patients at Bhorade.
“The generous donations each year from donors like Lombard Fire allow us to provide things like free wigs through our Wig Boutique, massage therapy, patient financial assistance, DigniCap cold cap therapy, valet services and so much more,” said Nina Poulaki, manager of oncology services at Bhorade.
The connection to the cause is deeply personal for many firefighters.
“Within the fire department, we’ve had friends and family who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer and other types of cancer, and we see people fighting cancer while we’re working and transporting them to the hospital,” Bob said. “It makes you want to help in whatever way you can.”
Over the years, patients and families have even visited the fire department to share their cancer journeys and express their gratitude.
“People have come to us after treatment to thank us,” Bob recalled. “There was one woman who’d been recently diagnosed with cancer. She brought her whole family to our open house, and they bought the rest of the T‑shirts we had left. Their stories are very touching. It makes us feel like we’ve done something important.”
That sense of connection is felt throughout the cancer center.
“The support we receive from the Lombard Fire Department is incredibly meaningful,” Nina shared. “Our staff feel supported, and our patients feel seen and cared for by our community. People they may have never personally met are invested in their well‑being, which is so powerful.”
She added, “Our patients are incredibly appreciative of the resources we’re able to provide as they navigate this difficult time in their lives. We’re only able to offer these services because of generous donations like these.”
For Nina and her team, the partnership goes beyond philanthropy.
“Their continued generosity shows they believe deeply in the work we do and in the patients we serve each year. Our staff and patients are eager to see what thoughtful and creative design Bob comes up with. Every year is better than the last, and we proudly wear our LFD pink T‑shirts throughout the year.”
How you can help
Gifts from generous donors like the Lombard Fire Department and Lombard Firefighters Union Local 3009 help ensure patients at the Bhorade Cancer Center have access to compassionate care, supportive services and resources throughout their cancer journey.
Please consider supporting patients and families at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital by making a gift today.