PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A local business has boosted the Pittsfield Fire Department's BFit Challenge fundraiser by $10,000, doubling last year's total.

When Jason Smegal, owner of J Smegal Roofing and Gutters, became aware of firefighters' increased risk for occupational cancer and the fundraiser for early detection, he knew he wanted to help out.

"I thought it was a great cause," he said. "And I also thought it was great that all the money stayed local and stayed in Mass, so we are directly able to help all the people that help us."

Every February, members of the department travel to Boston to climb the stairs of the TD Garden in support of the New England Fire Cancer Fund. First responders, military members, and other community members each raise $300 to participate in the event powered by National Grid.

Fundraising has grown exponentially in just a few years. For the 2024 BFit event, the department raised just over $12,000; for 2025, it expects to collect as much as $25,000.

Co-captain of the local BFit team Robert Leary said he first participated in 2020 with just himself and another firefighter, that year only raising $600. Fifteen firefighters and five friends and family members have already signed up this year.

"Jay and his company stepped up and said they'd help sponsor us and offered us a tremendously generous donation of $10,000, which has really helped with our fundraising goals," Leary said.

"Each year we've gone up. Basically all of the money, 100 percent of proceeds goes to fighting early detection for cancer in firefighters. So it's between screenings, between early diagnosis, and any support that we can give firefighters and it does stay all local within the state of Massachusetts so it is pretty beneficial to us."