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The quick read: Dozens of Kelowna and Vernon firefighters shaved their heads at Kelowna Fire Hall #1 on Sunday in support of Stefon Marshall, a 35-year-old Kelowna firefighter diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer just weeks after his son Max was born. Marshall has already had two major surgeries to remove tumours from his liver and colon, and faces a long road of treatment. The head-shaving launched a public fundraising campaign, including a GoFundMe in his name.

Stefon Marshall is 35 years old, a Kelowna firefighter, and a brand-new father.

He learned he had stage 4 colon cancer shortly after he and his wife, Madi, welcomed their son Max, who is now three months old.

He has already had two major surgeries to remove tumours from his liver and his colon.

A long road of recovery and treatment lies ahead, and it has placed a significant financial burden on the young family.

Marshall previously worked at the Vernon Fire Department before joining Kelowna's.

A brotherhood shows up

On Sunday, November 8, dozens of Marshall's co-workers and friends gathered at Kelowna Fire Hall #1.

Several members of the Kelowna and Vernon fire departments had their heads shaved in a show of solidarity.

Fellow Kelowna firefighter Torren Freeman put the timing plainly.

"The timing for this diagnosis was pretty rotten for him," Freeman said.

"He's a 35-year-old guy with a three-month-old baby and to get this lumped on him was a real stressful hit."

Firefighter Derek Liebel said Marshall is simply a great guy with a young family, and that everyone can relate to what he is going through.

They all just want to give him support.

The risk firefighters carry

The event was about more than one firefighter.

It also raised awareness of the occupational cancer risk firefighters face on the job.

"Cancer is unfortunately one of the darker, unspoken risks of our job," Freeman said.

Since Marshall's diagnosis, he added, many firefighters have visited their doctors to get checked.

That, he said, is a really positive knock-on effect from a really negative situation.

A GoFundMe has been set up in Marshall's name to help the family through the months ahead.

No fundraising total was reported.

Marshall's story is a reminder of two things at once.

First, that the people who run toward danger for the rest of us carry risks long after the fire is out.

And second, that when one of them falls, the rest of the hall shows up, shaves their heads, and stands beside him.

Sources: Castanet, Cindy White, November 9, 2026.