MACOMB TOWNSHIP (WWJ) - It's a big day for a firefighter from Macomb County who began the first steps of his 140-mile journey across the state on Thursday morning in an effort to fundraise for firefighters with cancer in Michigan.
Macomb Township firefighter and and President of Neighbors United, Joseph Warne, began the long, annual walk at around 8:15 a.m. on Sept. 7, starting out from Macomb Township Fire Station 2 on 21 Mile near Romeo Plank.
Warne's journey on foot to the Grand Rapids area will help raise money for Neighbors United that will assist 56 firefighters and their families who depend on financial assistance from the #walkforthered event.
Warne told the Macomb Daily that out of the 56 firefighters with cancer around the state, 13 of them live or work in Macomb County -- and there's already a list started for firefighters in need for next year's event.
"We have lost 19 firefighters since last year's walk," Warne told the Macomb Daily. "They will all be honored at the start of this year's walk."
Warne has walked in all four #walkforthered events since it began in 2019. He decided to make it an annual fundraiser upon learning of his own Captain's cancer diagnosis.
"Reflecting on the impact of the fundraiser in 2019, Warne recalls delivering checks to firefighters and meeting a 35-year veteran firefighter 'that had no heat or stove' as well as another firefighter 'that could not afford gas to get to his chemo treatments'," the Neighbors United webpage states.
Cancer is now the #1 cause of death for firefighters according to the International Association of Firefighters.
He said he never stopped training after the walk last year, walking every day in full gear with a 40 lbs. weight vest.
"Yes, this is magic number five and is expected to be the biggest turnout," Warne told the Macomb Daily. "In year one it was myself and a team of four. We are expecting 100 or more to start the walk with us and people will come and go every day and every mile. We also will be having apparatus from many of the cities follow us or join us as we walk through their districts."
He is expected to reach his destination, the Cascade Township Fire Station 2, located at 2990 Buttrick in Ada, east of Grand Rapids, the afternoon of Sept. 10.
Warne said he anticipates company to walk with him at points along his route, as firefighters in Michigan and from out of state join in the cause.
Ryan Phipps, a battalion chief of the Dearborn Fire Department and a two-time cancer survivor, will set to walk in the event. Kendra Bozich, who walked 1.5 miles in memory of her husband, Detroit EMT Jon Bozich, in a prior #walkforthered event, will walk the full way in 2023.
Joey Romanelli, 17, an acquaintance of the late Capt. Mike Jeup of the Mount Clemens Fire Department, will also join Warne. Romanelli will walk alongside Warne for the entire trek in Jeup's gear after the captain passed away in January from cancer.
For those who want to support #walkforthered, can do so by joining Warne on his trek and by volunteering or making a donation.
Additional information about Neighbors United, as well as a donation link, can be found here at walkforthered.org.
Warne said that those who want to donate using Venmo can do so by @neighborsunitedmi and on Cash App at $neighborsunitedmi.
Warne also encouraged anyone who wishes to walk, to join him at any point during the 140 mils to Grand Rapids. A donation is not require to do so.
"Anyone can join us at any time over the four days. They can follow us live on Facebook or Life App 360," Warne said.
