WHO WE ARE
SAN FRANCISCO FIREFIGHTERS
CANCER PREVENTION FOUNDATION
San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation is committed to the prevention and early detection of cancer and providing access to cutting edge care for active and retired members of the San Francisco Fire Department and their families. Our goals are based on scientific research, education, cancer screenings and health navigation. Through this research and advocacy, we aim to improve public health and end this threat of job-related cancer in the firefighting profession.
BOARD MEMBERS
President
Tony Stefani, Retired
SFFD Captain Rescue 1
Cancer Survivor
Vice President
Adam Wood, Active
SFFD FF Rescue 2
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Secretary
Kailin Waterman, Active
SFFD FF Rescue 1
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Treasurer
Gary Massetani, Retired
SFFD Deputy Chief, Admin
Directors
Tom O’Connor, Active
SFFD Deputy Chief, Admin
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Judith Lynch, RN BS MAOM
Civilian, Healthcare Advocate
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Margie Favro
Civilian, Healthcare Executive
Cancer Survivor
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Matt Hutchinson, Active
SFFD Captain Engine 7
Cancer Survivor
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Justin Beede, Active
SFFD FF Engine 23
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Tom O’Connor, Active
SFFD Deputy Chief, Admin
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Matthew Alba, Active
SFFD Battalion Chief
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Judith Lynch, RN BS MAOM
Civilian, Healthcare Advocate
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Margie Favro
Civilian, Healthcare Executive
Cancer Survivor
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Chris Gruwell
Civilian, Business Executive
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Matt Hutchinson, Active
SFFD Captain Engine 7
Cancer Survivor
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Justin Beede, Active
SFFD FF Engine 23
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Peggy Sugarman, Retired
Director Workers Comp,
City & Co of SF
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Danny Gracia, Retired
SFFD Arson Investigator
Medical Consultants
Marshall Stoller, MD
Jennifer Brokaw, MD
Karen Bauer, MD
Workers Comp Liaison
Peggy Sugarman, Retired
Director Workers Comp,
City & Co of SF
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LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HISTORY
“You have cancer”—three mind-numbing words that now seem to resonate throughout the entire firefighting profession. On Jan. 6, 2001, I was out on a long morning run. With about one mile left, I had to stop and walk. This had never happened to me before. I was exhausted. I got back to the gym, went to the john and pissed blood. I headed straight to my doctor’s office and within a few weeks was diagnosed […] READ MORE >
Tony Stefani, President
FOLLOW US @SFFCPF ON
ignitinghopegala@sffcpf.org or call Celia Barbaccia at 415-713-7689.">
Peggy Sugarman is a recognized professional in the California Workers’ Compensation System where she recently retired after a decade of service as the Workers’ Compensation Director for the City & County of San Francisco. When she first started her work at the City, she saw that many of the cancer claims from public safety officers were delayed or denied. Working closely with the SF Fire Department, Firefighters Local 798, the SF Police Officers Association and various physicians, she created a standardized work flow for reviewing and accepting cancer claims and ensured that members received the best treatment available. In recognition of this work, she received the White Helmet Award from Local 798 in 2017 at her first SF Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation gala event and additional recognition from the SF Police Officers Association.
My name is Kathleen Cavanaugh and I am honored to join the Foundation as an integrative oncology consultant.
Judy Lynch, RN, BS, MAOM is a board member and health navigator for SFFCPF. In 2009, she became familiar with SFFCPF and the increased incidence of genitourinary cancers in SFFD firefighters when her sister’s husband, Battalion Chief Phil Kelber, participated in the first bladder cancer screening, a scary prospect since his wife had been diagnosed two years before. In 2018, Judy was reacquainted with the Foundation when she read the Facebook tribute of a friend, another retired Battalion Chief, who was diagnosed and died in just two months from an aggressive kidney cancer. While exploring the website, she discovered SFFCPF’s Health Navigation Program. As a friend and relative of numerous SFFD firefighters, she was compelled to volunteer as a Health Navigator, joining the “team” of one, Jeff Malone. She was elected to the Board in May 2019.
Matt Alba has been a Board of Director since 2018. Matt came into the San Francisco Fire Department in 2002 and he is humbled and proud to be the Captain of Station 21 – located in the Western Addition neighborhood. Matt was born and raised in San Francisco and is fortunate to have the opportunity to serve his family, friends, and citizens of The City. 
I have been in the department since 2002. I am currently a member of Rescue Squad 1 for the past few years. Prior to that I was a member of Station 3. Too many friends and coworkers have been taken too early due to cancer and there must be something I can do to help.
