Submitted on March 30, 2026
Sima Porten, MD, MPH, and Maxwell Meng, MD, were honored this weekend with the White Helmet Award from the San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation (SFFCPF), recognizing their longstanding commitment to treating and protecting firefighters facing cancer.
The award was presented at the foundation’s annual Igniting Hope Gala, held March 28 at the historic Palace Hotel, as part of the organization’s 20th anniversary celebration. The White Helmet Award is one of the foundation’s highest honors and is given to medical professionals who have provided “longstanding, expert treatment and compassionate care” to firefighters and their families.
This year’s recognition highlights the critical role Drs. Porten and Meng have played in advancing cancer prevention, early detection and treatment within the fire service. Both physicians have worked closely with the foundation for nearly two decades.
Their contributions date back to its earliest research efforts, including pioneering screening programs that helped identify elevated rates of genitourinary cancers, including bladder, kidney and prostate cancers, among firefighters. Those early findings proved pivotal. By establishing a clear link between firefighting and increased cancer risk, the research helped drive nationwide awareness, policy changes and expanded screening efforts. Since then, Drs. Porten and Meng have treated many firefighters, often guiding patients through complex diagnoses while working in collaboration with the foundation’s health navigation program. Their work has not only improved outcomes but also provided reassurance and continuity of care to firefighters and their families during some of their most difficult moments.
In addition to Drs. Porten and Meng, Matthew Gubens, MD, MS, FASCO, professor of medicine at UCSF, also received a White Helmet Award. Past honorees include current professors Peter Carroll, MD, MPH, Urology Chair Emeritus, and Marshall Stoller, MD.
The recognition comes as SFFCPF marks 20 years of impact. A national leader in firefighter cancer prevention, the foundation has driven groundbreaking research partnerships, provided free or low-cost cancer screenings, and led advocacy efforts that resulted in major policy changes, including the recent transition to PFAS-free protective gear in San Francisco. Over two decades, the foundation has supported hundreds of firefighters and family members while helping shape legislation and safety standards aimed at reducing occupational cancer risks. By honoring leaders in medicine alongside those in the fire service, the White Helmet Award underscores a shared mission: ensuring that those who risk their lives to protect others receive the care, protection and support they deserve in return.