Corrections officers give $1,600 to Cancer Services

Provided photo

ALBION – Staff at the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion today cooked hot dogs, dressed in casual clothes, sold wristbands to raise awareness for colon cancer and made donations, an effort that raised $1,600 for the Cancer Services programs of Genesee and Orleans.

Some of the staff members are pictured outside the prison this afternoon. The facility is a medium-security prison on Gaines Basin Road.

The staff at Orleans Correctional pushed to raise the funds after Al Miller (pictured) of Corfu, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in December. Miller continues to work his shifts at the prison while he is on light duty.

Miller said he is grateful for his job, which he has had for 20 years. He said he is fortunate to have good health insurance. The Cancer Services Program in Genesee and Orleans provides free cancer screenings and other services.

Miller said he appreciated the turnout and support from his collages today.

“I feel bad for people without family and friend support,” he said. “I’m very fortunate here for the support system that I have.”

Kenny Gold, a corrections officer and leader in the union, said Miller has been a dependable worker for two decades.

“He’s been here for everybody for 20 years, and we’ll all be here for him, especially during his most vulnerable time,” Gold said today.

The union representing the corrections officer gave about $400,000 to different charities and causes last year, Gold said.

“The prisons are more than just people watching over convicted felons,” he said.