BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio


Yvonne Fair, 27, is a firefighter and emergency medical technician with the Neffs and Brilliant fire departments. At a young age, she knew it was her calling.

"My dad's a police chief, and being around him growing up and having fun and being around the cop cars and going on scene with him, it was just a fine time," said Fair.

She started fighting fires at age 18 and also joined the Air Force. But, when she got diagnosed with cancer in December 2010, she was released.

Now a retired staff sergeant, she is still serving and protecting on a daily basis and is three weeks away from completing the paramedic program at Eastern Gateway Community College.

In her spare time, she enjoys racing Motocross and rappelling. Fair leads a very active life, and on the outside appears to be a healthy young woman.

Looking at her, one would never know she is battling Stage 4 inoperable melanoma.

"I went to the doctor's for just a small lump," she said. "They gave me a 3 percent chance of being alive in three years, and it's been two years so far."

Fair has gone through several surgeries, including brain surgery, and numerous rounds of chemotherapy.

She finished her latest treatment on Monday and was out battling fires a day later.

"You have to put all of that aside. You don't think about it, honestly. In fact, if it wasn't for firefighting and work, I probably wouldn't be alive right now," said Fair.

For her, it is all about mind over matter.

"It's advanced. I know my days are numbered. But, when it comes down to it, I just fight. I live every day like it's going to be my last. And with my job, you just never know. I could go into work tomorrow and something could happen to me. So, cancer is never going to stop me," said Fair.

If you would like to support Yvonne with her medical expenses, donations can be made in her name starting Friday at any Huntington Bank.

On Saturday, there will be a poker run in her honor. The Neff's fire department is hosting the run at 2 p.m. at the Neff's fire station on Pike Street. There will be a steak fry immediately following the poker run and live entertainment. The cost is $15 per bike and $10 per biker.