Suburban fire chief featured on Rose Parade float to share cancer prevention message

PASADENA, Calif. (WLS) -- There was a truly inspirational moment during the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California Thursday as a Chicago-area fire chief was featured on the City of Hope float.

Rudy Horist is spreading his message of endurance and resolve in the face of adversity.

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A rainy Rose Parade couldn't wash away the resilience of 43-year firefighting veteran Horist and other cancer survivors front-and-center for the world to see.

"I was blown away when they contacted me and said, 'would you like to represent City of Hope Chicago in the Rose Parade?'" said Horist, McHenry Township Fire Service chief.

Horist said, after being diagnosed with cancer in 2017, he wanted to share his message of survival.

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"I've watched the parade before; I've watched the Rose Bowl before. But it's a chance of a lifetime to participate in the parade and watch the game in-person," he said. "As you can imagine, anybody that can get that honor, it's amazing."

Horist says doctors discovered his cancer during a routine colonoscopy.

"I had no signs, no symptoms, and that's when they found I had colon cancer," he said. "I am the poster person for early diagnosis and early treatment. And I'm very glad to say I've remained cancer-free since then."

He's been cancer-free for eight years. Horist says he still goes in for regular cancer checkups and surveillance, and says that's part of why he couldn't pass up the opportunity to share his message.

"Early diagnosis, routine preventative health checks, things that are recommended based on age and gender and whatnot for surveillance and cancer testing, that kind of thing, it's just so critically important," Horist said.

Horist said his friends and family at home were watching, along with the crew at the firehouse.