501(c)(3) nonprofitYouth-ledEst. 2025

Lung cancer prevention
for firefighters

Students in 200+ chapters across 40+ countries are
donating hydration items
for firefighters exposed to cancer-causing smoke.

Donations are tax-deductible and go straight to hydration drives, chapter growth, and firefighter support.

Breathe for the 343 footage: @maliyahcoree

Our mission

Project Pulmonary is a 501(c)(3) public health nonprofit organization focused on lung cancer prevention in firefighters, specifically through pulmonary rehabilitation for those chronically exposed to wildfire carcinogens.

200+student-led chapters in 40+ countries
50,000+firefighters reached at 4,500+ fire stations
10,000+handwritten Letters4Lungs delivered
$65K+in grants secured for firefighter health

Firefighter, station, and letter counts from our Points of Light award (May 2026).

New initiative

Kits4Candy

Kits4Candy provides firefighters with compact gear decontamination kits, including decon wipes, contamination bags, gloves and a quick-reference guide, so they can begin removing soot and contaminants immediately after a call.

<$5to build one kit
6items in every kit
$45equips a crew of 10
Firefighters in turnout gear holding Project Pulmonary letters and supplies
Crews receiving Letters4Lungs
Why it matters

Wildfire Smoke and Firefighter Cancer Risk

Group 1

The WHO's cancer agency classified firefighting as carcinogenic to humans in 2022, alongside tobacco and asbestos.

75%

of firefighters honored at the IAFF's 2022 Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial died of occupational cancer, not injury.

~20%

of PAH exposure is absorbed through the skin, so turnout gear alone isn't enough.

Sources: IARC Monograph 132 (WHO, 2022) · IAFF

Read our research articles

What we do

Programs

Three Ventura County firefighters holding donated hydration packs in front of Engine 43
Firefighters unloading cases of donated water from a volunteer's car
01 · Hydration Drives

Water and Electrolytes for Crews

Firefighting dehydrates crews fast. Chapters collect water and electrolytes and hand-deliver them to the station.

LA & Ventura CountyFDNY firehousesAlabama hydration tourDominican Republic
See the deliveries
Two firefighters in full turnout gear and helmets holding hand-drawn Letters4Lungs posters
A student writing a letter to firefighters
02 · Letters4Lungs

Screening Reminders Written by Students

K–8 students write letters and posters that remind firefighters to get screened for lung cancer, delivered to crews and their families.

K–8 classroomsDelivered with every drive
Bring it to your school
Project Pulmonary receiving a $35,000 check for fire station sauna installations
A firefighter and a student beside a station detox sauna
03 · Detox Saunas

Detox Saunas for Fire Stations

We fund detoxification sauna installations at fire stations, starting with $35,000 in grant funding already secured.

$35,000 in Sauna FundingFundraising for more stations
Help fund the next sauna
From the crews

Firefighter Interviews

Recorded at their stations during our deliveries. Tap to play with sound.

See our impact

Team voices

Team Testimonials

Read every testimonial

“Every firefighter should have the resources and support necessary to serve their communities, and Project Pulmonary is the best way to help them.”

JB
Jaiden Bloodworth
Chief of Government Affairs

“What draws me most to Project Pulmonary is its focus on education, awareness, and making a real difference in people's lives.”

HV
Harshitha Venkatesan
Chief of Community Outreach

“I'm proud to be a part of an initiative that gives back to the community providing so much for us.”

SL
Sarayu Lanka
Chief Technology Officer
In the field

Station Visits

More from the field
Chapter network

200+ Chapters in 40+ Countries

Start a chapter in your city
CaliforniaNew YorkAlabamaTexasDominican Republic
Open full map

Get Involved

Start one at your school, fund the next delivery, or bring Project Pulmonary to your department.

Project Pulmonary is a 501(c)(3). Every gift is tax-deductible.

Supported by

Backed and Funded By

Partners and sponsors

Liquid I.V.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
American Lung Association
Mathnasium
C2 Education
Rhapsody Education
Origami for Good
Apricus Literacy
9/11 Day
Youth Service America
AmeriCorps
American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative