Project Pulmonary's
Mission
A youth-led 501(c)(3) protecting firefighters from the long-term lung damage caused by wildfire smoke.
- CBS News LA
- KTLA
- ABC 33/40
- VoyageLA
What is Project Pulmonary?
Project Pulmonary is a youth-led 501(c)(3) public health nonprofit that protects firefighters from long-term lung damage caused by wildfire smoke and carcinogenic inhalation. Founded in 2025 in Los Angeles, it runs hydration drives, Letters for Lungs classroom letter-writing, K-8 lung cancer screening outreach, and firefighter detoxification sauna installations through 190+ student-led chapters nationwide.
What firefighters actually breathe in
Every structure and wildland fire releases a toxic cocktail of fine particulates, PAHs, benzene, and formaldehyde. Firefighters breathe it in, and it absorbs straight through turnout gear and skin.
Inhalation
Microscopic PM2.5 particles, roughly 30x smaller than a human hair, bypass the body's natural filters and travel straight into the deepest airways.
Cellular damage
Carcinogens like benzene and PAHs trigger oxidative stress that breaks down cell walls and sets off chronic inflammation in lung tissue.
Repeated exposure
Firefighters face this cycle fire after fire, year after year, with damage compounding faster than the body can repair it.
Long-term disease
Over a career, this exposure is linked to elevated rates of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic respiratory illness.
What we do
Two programs, run by students, that put real supplies and real letters in firefighters' hands.
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Hydration Drives
01
School-led drives that end in direct station donations
Students coordinate hydration drives with local high schools, collect high-need supplies, and deliver them straight to nearby fire stations.
See how a drive comes together -
“Every firefighter should have the resources and support necessary to serve their communities, and Project Pulmonary is the best way to help them.”
Jaiden Bloodworth · Chief of Government Affairs -
Letters for Lungs
02
Classroom encouragement for younger students
K-8 students create handwritten letters and cards with lung cancer screening reminders for firefighters.
Read about our program model
190+ chapters and counting
In their own words
Every firefighter should have the resources and support necessary to serve their communities, and Project Pulmonary is the best way to help them.
What draws me most to Project Pulmonary is its focus on education, awareness, and making a real difference in people's lives.
I'm proud to be part of an initiative that combines advocacy, service, and health education, and excited to help build a future where more firefighters and families have the support they deserve.
Moments from across the country
Backed by fire departments, funders, and the press
Weekend Mornings featured co-founder Bettina.
Heartwarming Young Heroes honoree.
National grant winner.
Project Pulmonary's programs are made possible with support from these partners.
Coffee Bean
Mathnasium
C2 Education
Rhapsody Education
American Lung Association
Origami for Good
Apricus Literacy
Coffee Bean
Mathnasium
C2 Education
Rhapsody Education
American Lung Association
Origami for Good
Apricus Literacy