BEDFORD, Va. – The Bedford community came together on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, for the “Hops for Hops” fundraiser, an event dedicated to supporting local firefighter Matt “Hops” Scott in his fight against kidney cancer. The event took place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Beale’s Beer in Bedford.
For every beer sold during the event, $1 was donated to assist Hops in his battle against Stage 3 Renal Cell Carcinoma.
“I was diagnosed with it February of last year and had surgery on May 22nd to have my entire left kidney removed along with the tumors as well,” Scott said. “But it has come back.”
Scott’s fellow firefighters like Jason Morgan were stunned when they first got the news.
“Shocked,” Morgan said on his initial reaction. “I just couldn’t believe it.”
So when Beale’s rolled out the “Hops for Hops” fundraiser, they jumped at the opportunity to grab a drink and support their brother.
“I get choked up every time they do something like this for me, which is quite often,” Scott said.
It’s a dangerous job that requires the bravest of souls, and a disease like this can sadly happen to anyone who dons a fireman’s jacket.
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“We know most likely it’s going to happen because of the environment we are involved with,” Morgan said. “Hopefully there are some things that are coming in the future with some cancer preventative type aspects and other things and prevention that we can do on a daily basis to help take this trend ok the downside instead of the upside.”
No matter what, nobody is left behind, and it doesn’t matter if you’re fighting fires or battling cancer.
“It doesn’t matter what department you are with. {With} most agencies all you got to do is pick up the phone and make a phone call and say ‘I need some help,’” Morgan said. “If I can’t do it, then I’ll get in contact with the right person who will take care of it for you.”
For those who wish to contribute further, a GoFundMe page is available for donations.
The Bedford Fire Department also plans on selling charity t-shirts starting next month. All profits will go towards Scott’s battle with cancer.
