A Safety Net: MnFIRE Resources Support Chief’s Cancer Battle

35 years ago, Kip Springer planned to become a police officer. In hopes of gaining work experience while he earned his law enforcement degree, he became a volunteer firefighter at Eden Prairie Fire Department – and it lit a spark.

“Anybody who starts in the fire service will tell you that there’s just this passion that kicks in,” said Springer. “And that’s where I wanted to be. I was really, really happy being a firefighter.”

He continued as a paid-on-call firefighter with the Eden Prairie Fire Department for 20 years, eventually leaving his construction job in the private sector to become a full-time firefighter. After rising through the ranks during stints at the Plymouth Fire Department and the Eagan Fire Department, he is now Fire Chief for the City of Rosemount.

It was this professional journey through leadership development that led him to his thyroid cancer diagnosis. A vendor at a 2015 Fire Chiefs conference in Colorado was showcasing an artery scanner and Springer gave the new technology a try. While he received a clean bill of health there, the technician noted nodules on Springer’s thyroid and suggested he have them checked by his primary doctor back home.

“My doctor emphasized that a lot of people have these, and it’s usually nothing,” said Springer. “But they put me on a monitoring plan, getting ultrasounds every five years to keep an eye out for any changes.”

On one of those routine visits, it was immediately clear to Springer that the ultrasound technician noticed something different.

“She said, ‘We’ll pass everything on to the doctor and they’ll follow up with you.’ I knew right there something wasn’t right. And unfortunately with [digital charts] nowadays, you can see everything they enter into the system. And so, I knew before the doctor even called me.”

Springer was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Despite being detected early, it was a blow to his family, as his wife had successfully completed breast cancer treatment just six years prior.

“We knew that life. We had to work through those struggles and the financial impacts of my wife not being able to work,” recalled Springer. “We were just digging ourselves out of a hole from the last [diagnosis], and then you get another cancer diagnosis in your family and you just worry so badly about the impact that’ll have.”

Having helped bring MnFIRE training to his fire department, Springer was aware of MnFIRE and the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (HHAP) resources. But he wasn’t familiar with the logistics of filing a critical illness claim. Bolstered by the encouragement of a firefighter friend, he made the call, and received the full benefit of $20,000. It was a prescription for peace of mind.

“With my wife’s cancer, we were digging into savings and cashing out other investments to help cover costs. This time, I didn’t have to worry about that. I could focus on my health. I could focus on my family.”

Springer underwent a thyroidectomy to remove the cancer. He is now cancer free taking medicine daily and receiving annual monitoring checks. His wife is also healthy and received the “all clear” after several scans showed her cancer has remained in remission.

While he appreciated the privacy granted through the HHAP, Springer now feels compelled to share his story with his fellow firefighters, all who face greater occupational health risks such as cancer, cardiac disease and mental health struggles.

“Firefighters need to know these resources are out there for them,” said Springer. “This program can help you so that if the day ever comes, you are not panicking trying to figure out what to do. You already know who to call to get that help.”

Critical Illness Program details

As part of the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, all Minnesota firefighters are automatically enrolled in a statewide Critical Illness insurance policy which covers diagnoses of cancer, cardiac or other critical illnesses, and provides a lump-sum cash payment up to $20,000 to assist with expenses like medical bills and travel costs to and from specialist visits. Qualified claims for diagnosed illnesses from August 1, 2021, and on are eligible. The firefighter has one year from the date of diagnosis to file the claim. For more information or to file a claim, call 888-784-6634 or visit securian.com/mnfire-insurance.

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It's day five of Miles for MnFIRE, and there's still time to contribute!

🔴 Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, all Miles for MnFIRE donations up to $10,000 will be matched dollar for dollar before Sept. 21. That means that if you give now, your impact will be doubled!

🔴 Those who donate $200 or more will receive a special Miles for MnFIRE hat – check out Doug and Kyle rocking their hats below!

Your donations are thoroughly appreciated not only by the walkers, but also by firefighters and their families across the state who receive assistance from MnFIRE year-round. Thank you for your support! mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire/
... See MoreSee Less

Its day five of Miles for MnFIRE, and theres still time to contribute!

🔴 Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, all Miles for MnFIRE donations up to $10,000 will be matched dollar for dollar before Sept. 21. That means that if you give now, your impact will be doubled!

🔴 Those who donate $200 or more will receive a special Miles for MnFIRE hat – check out Doug and Kyle rocking their hats below!

Your donations are thoroughly appreciated not only by the walkers, but also by firefighters and their families across the state who receive assistance from MnFIRE year-round. Thank you for your support! https://mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire/

It was a hot day, but Minnesota firefighters and Miles for MnFIRE walkers Doug Foote and Kyle Bode completed 18 miles on their more than 150-mile trek from Duluth to St. Paul.

Here are a few photos from day four, which included a visit to Finlayson Elementary. The smiles and cheers from these kids were exactly what our walkers needed to lift their spirits!

Wednesday, Sept. 17, is the biggest day of the walk, covering more than 25 miles between Groningen and Pine City. Let's go!

Read more day 4 highlights here: mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire-day-4/
... See MoreSee Less

It was a hot day, but Minnesota firefighters and Miles for MnFIRE walkers Doug Foote and Kyle Bode completed 18 miles on their more than 150-mile trek from Duluth to St. Paul. 

Here are a few photos from day four, which included a visit to Finlayson Elementary. The smiles and cheers from these kids were exactly what our walkers needed to lift their spirits! 

Wednesday, Sept. 17, is the biggest day of the walk, covering more than 25 miles between Groningen and Pine City. Lets go! 

Read more day 4 highlights here: https://mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire-day-4/Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment
1 day ago

Firefighters Doug Foote and Kyle Bode are walking more than 150 miles from Duluth to St. Paul this week to raise awareness and funds for firefighter health.

Follow along on their journey and support MnFIRE at mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire/.
... See MoreSee Less

Firefighters Doug Foote and Kyle Bode are walking more than 150 miles from Duluth to St. Paul this week to raise awareness and funds for firefighter health.

Follow along on their journey and support MnFIRE at https://mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire/.

Sunday, Sept. 14 marked day two of Miles for MnFIRE, the more than 150-mile walk from Duluth to St. Paul to raise awareness and funds for firefighter health.

Walkers Doug Foote and Kyle Bode trekked from Esko to Mahtowa, stopping at Carlton Fire and Ambulance and a few other picturesque spots on the Willard Munger Trail. Take a look!

To read more about today's journey, visit our blog here: mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire-day-2/

To donate to the cause or learn where you can find us on the trail, click here: mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire/
... See MoreSee Less

Sunday, Sept. 14 marked day two of Miles for MnFIRE, the more than 150-mile walk from Duluth to St. Paul to raise awareness and funds for firefighter health. 

Walkers Doug Foote and Kyle Bode trekked from Esko to Mahtowa, stopping at Carlton Fire and Ambulance and a few other picturesque spots on the Willard Munger Trail. Take a look! 

To read more about todays journey, visit our blog here: https://mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire-day-2/

To donate to the cause or learn where you can find us on the trail, click here: https://mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire/Image attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment
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