El Paso firefighter finds strength in family as he battles cancer

Life is full of joy and sadness, hardship and hope. What makes the difference is who you have around you to support you.

For El Paso Firefighter Greg Rap and his family, the news of his cancer hit them hard.

“The hardest part was having to tell my family. Having to tell my kids, my wife, my parents. That was rough,” Rap said.

The Rap family isn’t letting this news get them down, though. Instead, it has drawn them closer together; depending on each other for strength.

“There’s certain family members you know that have really been there and helped you know just by showing a lot of love,” said Veronica Rap, Greg’s wife.

With news like cancer, lifestyle does change. For the Raps, it has brought them closer.

“Be in the moment. Try and just and just appreciate everything around me – even the smallest things,” Veronica Rap said.

Greg Rap isn’t the only firefighter in the Fire Department who has cancer. He tells ABC-7 he knows several other firefighters who are battling cancer as they continue to battle fires.

“I’m not the only fireman on the job right now with cancer,” Rap said. “Every year we find out either someone comes down with cancer or…and usually with firemen, the cancer tends to be very aggressive.”

According to the International Association of Firefighters, cancer is now the leading cause of death for firefighters.

According to a study by the CDC, the rate of cancer is higher among firefighters is higher than that of the general population.

Veronica Rap has started a go fund me page to raise money for Greg’s medical care. If you want to support the Rap family in this hard time, CLICK HERE.