'WE HAVE TO SAVE OUR HEROES'
People US|January 08, 2024
WHEN DIANE COTTER DISCOVERED HER HUSBAND PAUL'S CANCER WAS CAUSED BY HIS PROTECTIVE SUIT, SHE TOOK ACTION
JOHNNY DODD
'WE HAVE TO SAVE OUR HEROES'

In the months following Paul Cotter's 2014 prostate cancer diagnosis, his wife, Diane, watched helplessly as her once healthy and fit husband, a lieutenant with Massachusetts' Worcester Fire Department, spent his days wasting away in the recliner. "I couldn't get him out of that chair," says Diane, 63, of Paul, now 64. "He was literally leaving me physically and emotionally, and I couldn't do anything about it." Diane was convinced that Paul's cancer was the result of toxic smoke and gases he was exposed to because of a failure in the protective coat and pants-known as turnout gear-worn while battling fires. So one day she rummaged through his gear in the basement, inspecting it with his powerful flashlight, and made a startling discovery: "I saw all these quarter- and dime-size holes in the crotch area," she recalls. "I told myself, 'Holy cow, this is how all these chemicals got into his body."" Diane has since been on a quest to understand what could have contributed to her husband's diagnosis and also to explain what's behind the skyrocketing cancer rates among firefighters.

This story is from the January 08, 2024 edition of People US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 08, 2024 edition of People US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PEOPLE USView All
Jimmy Fallon's Making New Holiday Memories
People US

Jimmy Fallon's Making New Holiday Memories

The Tonight Show host, 50, has a festive new album, Holiday Seasoning, and an Alex Mill pajama collection called P'Jimmies. The campaign stars his wife, Nancy Juvonen, 57, and their two daughters, Winnie, 11, and Frances, 9.

time-read
1 min  |
December 02, 2024
Jonathan Majors & Meagan Good Are Engaged
People US

Jonathan Majors & Meagan Good Are Engaged

Jonathan Majors is engaged to Meagan Good, and he's in a \"season of joy,\" he told People at the EBONY Power 100 Gala on Nov. 17.

time-read
1 min  |
December 02, 2024
Meghan & Harry's New Dynamic: Embracing Solo Projects
People US

Meghan & Harry's New Dynamic: Embracing Solo Projects

Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex's recent separate outings signal a change in their public lives.

time-read
1 min  |
December 02, 2024
PEYTON LIST IS JUST GETTING STARTED!
People US

PEYTON LIST IS JUST GETTING STARTED!

THE COBRA KAI AND SCHOOL SPIRITS STAR OPENS UP ABOUT HER DISNEY CHANNEL ROOTS AND ENTERING THE NEXT PHASE OF HER CAREER

time-read
2 mins  |
December 02, 2024
'Caregiving Has Been an Incredible Gift'
People US

'Caregiving Has Been an Incredible Gift'

Many veterans struggle to cope with PTSD and then turn angry or violent toward their loved ones. But after Andre Morrow started taking care of his father, Sam, he was able to forgive him

time-read
2 mins  |
December 02, 2024
Grief, Music & Preserving My Father's Legacy
People US

Grief, Music & Preserving My Father's Legacy

THE BEATLE'S SON REVEALS HOW HE RECONNECTED WITH HIS LATE FATHER THROUGH HIS MUSIC AND NEWLY UNEARTHED TAPES

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
The Dark Side of Sudden Fame
People US

The Dark Side of Sudden Fame

HER FANTASY FOURTH WING BECAME A RUNAWAY BESTSELLER. THEN SHE FACED AN ONLINE FIRESTORM THAT EVEN FORCED HER FAMILY TO MOVE

time-read
2 mins  |
December 02, 2024
ALOHA MURDER SOLVED
People US

ALOHA MURDER SOLVED

A FAMILY'S QUEST FOR ANSWERS IN THE MURDER OF 19-YEAR-OLD NANCY ANDERSONHAWAII'S LONGEST UNSOLVED MYSTERY-LEADS TO A BREAKTHROUGH BY A DNA MASTER SLEUTH

time-read
4 mins  |
December 02, 2024
RETURN TO ROME
People US

RETURN TO ROME

NEARLY 25 YEARS AFTER GLADIATOR BECAME AN OSCAR-WINNING SENSATION, A STARRY CAST HEADS TO THE COLOSSEUM FOR AN EPIC SEQUEL

time-read
1 min  |
December 02, 2024
JELLY ROLL IS ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD
People US

JELLY ROLL IS ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD

WITH HIS DIFFICULT PAST NOW BEHIND HIM, THE COUNTRY STAR GETS CANDID ABOUT HIS UNLIKELY ROAD TO STARDOM

time-read
5 mins  |
December 02, 2024