Code 3 For A Cure

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Lorenzo Abundiz, President and Co-Founder of Code 3 for a Cure Foundation, has created a nonprofit public charity organization. A Santa Ana native, Abundiz created this foundation in order to achieve urgent response to a cure for all cancer.

A 27-year veteran of the fire service, Lorenzo Abundiz battled a total of 3 different types of cancer, including leiomyosarcoma located on the right side chest wall.

Lorenzo's journey began very early in life, as he was delivered by firefighters. At the age of six, he experienced two of his friends perish in a house blaze. Having personal experiences such as these, has made fighting back against the evils of fire a priority.

"I got tired of it and seeing my friends and comrades die of cancer," stated Abundiz.

Lorenzo decided to drive a fire engine across America to remember the fallen firefighters who have died of cancer. The reason for his quest was not only because of his own battles, but because those fallen brothers have paved the way for better equipment and procedures that all firefighters use today. Including his son, who is also a firefighter.

"After I recovered a couple years later, on June 13, 2008, I along with a group of firefighters, drove a fire truck across America to New York City and conducted a ceremony." NYFD Ladder 101 Crew assisted with the ceremony, in which they rang a bell out for all of the fallen firefighters.

Today, many firefighters have joined the fight against cancer with Lorenzo by joining the Code 3 for a Cure Foundation, with each having their own story and battle to tell.

Abundiz added, "We don't encourage a certain type of treatment or hospital, we just share our story."

According to Lorenzo, encouraging early cancer screenings is very vital due to catching the enemy early at its weakest point, and therefore having a better chance of beating it.

Firefighter Robert Verhelst contacted Lorenzo claiming he was a firefighter with the City of Madison, Wisconsin. Once hearing  about foundation, he definitely wanted to be a part of it.When the September 11th terrorist attacks took place, Verhelst spend 8 days at Ground Zero. On his journey, he found a baby blanket, which made him realize the loss of life associated with this horrible event.

Verhelst expressed to Abundiz that he was going to complete triathlons to help raise funds for the Code 3 for a Cure Foundation. The marathon portion of these triathlons were to be in full firefighter gear.

Code 3 for a Cure will eventually be able to financially assist firefighters and their families. 80% of profits will go to firefighters, 10% to non-profit organizations and 10% going towards the operating cost of the foundation. Abundiz is hoping to get acorporate sponsor in order to achieve this goal.

Lorenzo Abundiz expressed, "I believe there really are miracles. I mean, I believe I am a miracle because I am still alive when doctors gave me a 3% chance of survival back in 1998. To this day they still cant believe that I beat it."

Lorenzo continues, " I married my angel right in the middle of Time Square 10 years ago. I really believe cancer brought us together, brought our hearts together."

For more information on the Code 3 for a Cure Foundation, please visit: www.code3foracure.com



Author:Melissa Gonzales - Video, Renee Marquart - Text