Across Arizona and the United States, firefighters are facing a cancer epidemic.

One cause of this spike in cancer is the record high amounts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also called the “forever chemicals,” that many fire fighters have in their blood.

PFAS is found in their protective gear and firefighting foam. PFAS are synthetic, long-lasting chemicals with known health risks, including cancer.

Fortunately, there may be a solution: Donating plasma, or what we call “the firefighters’ oil change.”

The city of Glendale, Glendale Fire Department and Glendale Firefighters Local 493 are teaming up with Vitalant Blood Donation and Recharge Room for The Firefighters Oil Change, a plasma recharge event.

Saturday, Nov. 1 marked the first day or this event, but firefighters have two more donation days.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2 and Monday, Nov. 3  at the Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center, 11550 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale.

By donating plasma, PFAS levels are reduced in the blood, the donated blood is processed, then used to save lives. PFAS are one of the major classes of carcinogenic chemicals that firefighters are exposed to as an occupational hazard.

During the three-day event, 135 firefighters will take part in the plasma recharge. If a firefighter donates plasma six times a year, the PFAS in their blood could be reduced by up to 60%.