Captain Scott Bridges (Ret.),   Warren Fire Department, MA

Captain Scott Bridges (Ret) knows what it can cost when important health changes don’t seem important at the time.

Looking back, Scott wishes he had known sooner what DetecTogether teaches—practical early-detection skills most of us are never taught.

3 Steps Detect^® teaches people to know what their every day Great Health feels like, recognize when something has changed, and take action when a change persists—including how to work with healthcare providers to get answers.

The 3 Steps Detect^® Tactical Guide for Firefighters gives you a game plan for recognizing a health change, knowing when it’s time to act, and how to work with a doctor to get answers. 

Doctors know medicine. You know your body. Both matter. But getting answers starts with you having a response plan.

Response Time Matters. On the job. And with cancer.

This tactical guide shows you how, including:

• The 3 Steps Detect^® response plan

• The CLEAR protocol to make your doctor visit count
• And more practical tools to improve your response time

Tricia Scannell Laursen,  DetecTogether President & Executive Director

The American Cancer Society (ACS) New Jersey recognized DetecTogether President & Executive Director Tricia Scannell Laursen as its 2026 Corporate Visionary Honoree at the Finish the Fight Invitational.

The honor shines a spotlight on a critical gap DetecTogether and supporters are working to close in early cancer detection: giving firefighters the skills and confidence to recognize important health changes and act—before hindsight reveals an opportunity to have acted sooner.

“Tricia's vision is ambitious and deeply practical: to make the skills, confidence, and support needed to act on potential cancer warning signs an advantage available to everyone.” — ACS

DetecTogether named a 2026 National Firefighter Registry (NFR) Champion, for reducing the impact of cancer on firefighters and their families.

DetecTogether brings something different to the fight against cancer: You! —teaching you practical skills that turn awareness into earlier action. Through our 3 Steps Detect^® training, firefighters learn to recognize meaningful changes in their health, know when to act, and advocate for answers with doctors—because early detection doesn't happen only at scheduled screenings. 

And training works: 80% of First Responders say 3 Steps Detect^® led to an earlier evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment.²

“After learning 3 Steps Detect, I didn’t hesitate to contact my doctor and had potentially life-saving surgery 15 days after seeing my doctor.” -Firefighter

You know response time can change an outcome. The same is true with your health.

DetecTogether’s 3 Steps Detect^® training gives your crew a practical plan to notice health changes, act when they persist, and get answers sooner.

Thanks to the support of the Gary Sinise Foundation, you can access our Train-the-Trainer Program for free—equipping your team to deliver the training in-house, on your schedule.

Don’t wait. Get your crew ready.

Here’s something everyone should know about early cancer detection: 86% of cancers are detected outside of routine screenings—because someone noticed a health change or through an incidental finding.¹

Screenings are important. But most of the time, finding cancer starts another way. That’s why knowing your own health matters. 3 Steps Detect^® teaches you how to recognize an important change, know when to act and work with your healthcare provider to get answers sooner.

The World Health Organization reinforces this approach as an essential path to finding cancer earlier—the gap DetecTogether helps fill.

Two great days. One powerful reason to be there.

Join us in June for the 2027 DetecTogether Gala, Auction & Golf Tournament—with an exciting new Gala and golf location.

Gala & Auction | Saturday, June 12 
NEW LOCATION:  Capozzoli Athletic Center Worcester Academy | Worcester, MA

Golf Tournament | Monday, June 14
Worcester Country Club | Worcester, MA
Plus, a new second course coming in 2027!

Come celebrate, connect and have a great time—all while helping give more firefighters the skills to take action sooner and find cancer earlier.

SAVE THE DATES: JUNE 12 & 14, 2027

For more inspiring stories, click on the collage below:

1. Source: NORC at the University of Chicago, Percent of Cancers Detected by Screening in the U.S., 2022.
2. 2026 DetecTogether 3 Steps Detect® Participant Impact Survey Report.

Follow DetecTogether on Social Media

for practical early detection tips, myth-busters, important updates and inspiring stories – because the right information can make all the difference:

Our donors' generosity makes our nonprofit education programs possible.

Please consider making a lifesaving gift today.

53 Otis Street, Westborough, MA 01581

(508) 869-5200

detectogether.org

Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive future newsletters.