Dear Citizens of Boston,
Boston Firefighters Local 718 has been an important supporter of Cancer Care and Research. My relationship with them began several years ago. A healthy firefighter developed a seizure and was found to have a brain cancer. Despite standard treatments and multiple newer treatments over several years, he eventually died of this cancer. The patient’s family and friends in the Boston Firefighter community provided tremendous support throughout the whole ordeal. Through my interactions with them over the years, I learned a great deal about the courage and support that the Boston Firefighters union provides the community. They even raised money through fund raising events to support my research on finding more effective treatments for brain cancer patients. This is all the more relevant since recent epidemiological studies have shown that there is an increased risk of cancers (including brain cancer!) among Massachusetts firefighters due to occupational exposures (see reference: Cancer incidence among male Massachusetts firefighters, 1987-2003. Kang D, Davis LK, Hunt P, Kriebel D. Am J Ind Med. 2008 May;51(5):329-35). So clearly there needs to be more research committed to understanding and preventing firefighters’ risk of developing brain cancer and finding better treatments. Additionally, I have also seen how the Boston Firefighters union supports families in other respects such as dealing with the emotional and financial side of cancer. Firefighters do a dangerous job that has tremendous health and life consequences for them and in spite of this are able to do a lot of good in their communities. I have come to greatly admire their kindness and support of others in need.
Regards,
Santosh Kesari, MD, PhD
Neuro-Oncologist
Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
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Dear Citizens of Boston,
My relationship with Boston Firefighters Local 718 began several years ago, but their partnership with MDA stems back to 1952, when members of a firehouse in South Boston stepped up to help a neighbor in need of a wheelchair for his son who was living with muscular dystrophy. The concern of the Boston Firefighters for a fellow neighbor laid the foundation for the “Fill the Boot” campaign and ultimately led to a 55-year long national relationship with MDA that involves support from firefighters all across America & Canada. The endurance of this grassroots commitment by the men and women of the Boston Firefighter community to local children and adults battling muscle disease is nothing short of remarkable. MDA remains the largest non-governmental source of funding for research for 43 types of neuromuscular diseases including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease, but there are no definitive treatments or cures, and over one-million Americans continue to rely on funds raised by the Boston Firefighters for help for today and hope for tomorrow.
There is no doubt in my mind that MDA Boston is able to provide services to the 2,500 MA residents that count on us each day because of the unwavering commitment and dedication of the members of Local 718. Funds raised by Boston Firefighters Local 718 directly support hospital-affiliated MDA clinics at Children’s Hospital Boston, Mass General Hospital, Tufts Medical Center, and Brigham & Women’s, where people served by MDA see specialists that can provide them the best care possible for their condition. At these clinics there is access not only to doctors specializing in neuromuscular diseases, but also to respiratory and physical therapy, genetic counseling, flu shots, information about new drug trials, and special care providers like nutritionists and cardiologists. Local 718’s efforts allow MDA to assist with the purchase and repair of wheelchairs, leg braces, and communication devices for those who are losing the ability to walk or speak as a result of their disease. Finally, the efforts of the men and women of Boston Firefighters Local 718 make it possible each summer for local children, ages 6 to 17, with a neuromuscular disease to attend a fully-adaptive summer camp program, with one-on-one support geared to make every activity fully accessible to their needs. During the best week of their year, MDA campers enjoy activities like horseback riding, swimming, boating, arts & crafts, basketball, soccer, and dancing. It truly is the one week a year when all of the children in the camp are equal, and the friendships enabled last a lifetime.
I continue to be struck by the firefighters’ selflessness, generosity, and concern for their fellow man. Not once has a firefighter sought applause or attention for what they do for MDA, and often they reply “it was nothing” when they are thanked. They are never too tired, too over-extended, or too busy to find time to pick up a boot, and they are never more than a phone call away if we need event volunteers, a firehouse visit for our kids, or help of any kind. I am sure that the hours of their personal time they volunteer each year total in the thousands, and I am heartened to know that there are such good members of the community left in this country, and proud to know that they are in my backyard. The next time you drive by a firehouse, please smile and wave, or take a minute to stop and thank these courageous men and women for all that they give each day to keep our city healthy and safe.
Warmly,
Kate Tighe
Executive Director, Muscular Dystrophy Association
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My name is Terry Foley and I am an underground lineman for NSTAR Electric. One day I was working in a manhole on B Street in South Boston when I was electrocuted. The electricity traveled through my body, striking my heart sending me into cardiac arrest. I was pulled from the hole by my coworkers and within seconds the Boston Firefighters were on the scene. I was later taken to Boston Medical Center where I was admitted for nearly two weeks. I had herniated disks in my back, punctured a lung, and had minor brain damage. The last part, not having any short term memory, was the scariest news. Luckily for me it was correctable, and the prompt response from the Boston Firefighters was the reason I could regain my memory. If I had to wait any longer it might have been permanent damage. My location was also a contributing factor in my rescue. There was a fire house just around the corner on D Street- a fire house which was shut down for a day a few weeks ago. Everyone tells me all the time how lucky I am for getting through this accident. If that fire house happened to be closed that day I wouldn’t be so lucky. I want take this opportunity to thank the Boston Firefighters for saving my life, and to say keep up the great work that they do every day. I can’t say thank you enough.
Terry Foley
-South Boston resident
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