Brian's Journey: Firefighter vs. Cancer

For those of you that know Brian Wolgamott you know that he values his family, friends, and his brothers and sisters in fire above all. Brian and his wife Marie are raising their three incredible children, Elsie (4), Maddox (10), and Bryton (17). All the values that we love in Brian and Marie they instill in their children; Elsie's determination, Maddox's love for sports, and Bryton's intelligence. Brian and Marie met in Washington while he was in his early years of his fire career. Upon accepting a permanent position with the U.S. Forest Service his fire career relocated them to Klamath Falls, Oregon in 2017. Brian and Marie got married the following year in Leavenworth, Washington. Marie held true to her vows to Brian "To listen to at least some of his crazy ideas", such as him accepting work positions in Gold Beach, Bly, Lakeview, and Klamath Falls in Oregon and Longbell and Tule Lake in California. This often meant long commutes or leaving at a moments notice to fire assignments. Currently he is an employee at the Tule Lake Fish and Wildlife Refuge where he works as a Fire and Fuels Technician.

In May of 2022 Brian was first diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma Rectal Cancer which was directly linked to the environmental exposures on the fire line. Brian was a very private person and didn't share his diagnosis openly. Brian continued to work while receiving treatments at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington, in which he would drive back and forth close to 1,000 miles round trip from Klamath Falls, Oregon. He maintained a positive attitude and outlook during this time as well as a strong sense of humor. After a surgical procedure in January of 2023 he had high spirits that had won his battle. Unfortunately he was re-diagnosed in the summer of 2023. He once again returned to his bi-weekly commute to the Fred Hutch Cancer Center. After an unsuccessful clinical trial he transferred his treatment to Klamath Falls, Oregon to be closer to his wife and kids. On November 21, 2024 he was admitted to Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls, Oregon due to complications caused by the cancer spreading to beyond treatable levels.

Brian's wishes are to spread awareness to his family, friends, and especially his brothers and sisters in fire to advocate for themselves and get checked early. In many cases this can be preventable or treated easier if caught in the early stages.

These funds raised for Brian will help support his wife and children through these difficult times and unfathomable grief.