Upper Macungie Township firefighters took part in CancerGuard cancer screening Sept. 30 at the Fogelsville Fire Station. Many firefighters enrolled in the testing program, which was offered to help identify potential cancer markers among first responders, who face increased cancer risks because of exposure to hazardous materials encountered on emergency calls. In the foreground, Upper Macungie Township firefighter David Fritsche completes paperwork before his screening while Exact Sciences Laboratory phlebotomist Cherri Neiser prepares to draw his blood. Upper Macungie Fire Department President Doug Gernerd is in the background. Exact Sciences Laboratory, based in Madison, Wis., administered the screenings.

Humor accompanies the testing as Upper Macungie Fire Department Safety Officer Jeff “Ox” Sucal jokingly helps hold fellow firefighter David Fritsche down while Exact Sciences Laboratory phlebotomist Cherri Neiser prepares to draw blood for a CancerGuard cancer screening.

Phlebotomist Sue Lensie of Exact Sciences Laboratory draws blood from Upper Macungie Township firefighter Colin Macaulay for a CancerGuard screening to detect potential cancer markers.

PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELANDExact Sciences Laboratory phlebotomist Cherri Neiser draws blood from longtime Upper Macungie Township volunteer firefighter Dwayne Shellhamer.