Featured J!Buzz

This is Peggy Abundiz. It may not surprise you to know that she is a lifelong Jeopardy! fan, but just as important to this story, we should tell you that in 2008, she and her husband Lorenzo started Code 3 for a Cure, an organization that promotes awareness of occupational cancer hazards for firefighters and provides financial support to firefighters battling the disease.

Driven by the experience of supporting her husband – a retired firefighter and three-time cancer survivor himself – and the desire to further raise awareness for the cause, Peggy found another way to bring attention to the important work being done by Code 3 for a Cure: She competes in races wearing full firefighter gear including helmet, boots, turnout pants, jacket and breathing apparatus. The whole outfit weighs in at about 45 pounds total. Now that’s a woman who is totally committed to her mission.  

In appreciation of her work for the organization, Peggy’s Code 3 team surprised her with VIP tickets to her first Jeopardy! taping a few months ago. The cherry on top: They had also secretly arranged for Alex to meet with Peggy and autograph her helmet. “Our team members know what a fan both my husband and I have been of Alex,” she said. “To me, he defines class. ... When I think about what person I would want to carry with me across that finish line, he’s on the top of the list.”

Peggy is currently working toward setting a world record for fastest woman to run a half-marathon in full firefighter gear in November of this year. “I’m going to be really proud to carry [Alex’s] autograph with me when I cross that finish line – especially when I set the world record. I look forward to that very much.”

For more information, visit the organization’s Facebook page: Code 3 for a Cure.