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Boy with Cancer Spends Day as Firefighter
By JOE RODRIGUEZ
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- Braeden Gilbert is a fighter. After all, he's just 7 years old and has to endure things like chemotherapy and IV treatments and spinal taps to fight the acute lymphocytic leukemia he was diagnosed with two years ago.
Related
About Braeden Gilbert
Braeden Gilbert is 7 years old and was born on April 17, 2002. Braeden was diagnosed with T-Cell ALL (Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia) on April 4, 2007. His treatment plan consists of chemo therapy treatments, spinal taps, bone marrow aspirations and routine blood draws. He currently is in remission and will continue this therapy for the next 3 years. Braeden is a very energetic 1st grader who loves riding his bike and learning new tricks. He enjoys playing four square, video games (he rocks out to Guitar Hero) and doing arts and crafts. He loves to go to the lake where he enjoys riding on boats and jet skis, fishing, swimming, camping and roasting marshmallows over the campfire. Braeden's dad, Jonathan Gilbert is a car salesman at Easy Credit Auto Sales. Braeden's mom, Brandie Lassiter, is a Sr. Financial Services Representative with Commerce Bank. Braeden says he wants to be a firefighter when he grows up.
Information from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
So perhaps it's no surprise that Braeden, a first-grader, aspires to be a firefighter.
"You can rescue people," he said.
On Friday, his seventh birthday, Braeden was treated to a surprise when a group of local firefighters, friends and family members helped him live out his firefighter dream.
Braeden spent much of the day hanging out _ but also working _ with firefighters from Sedgwick County Fire Station No. 32, near 77th North and I-135.
"I love it," Braeden said.
The event was the culmination of several weeks of work.
It began when Clyde Berg, a firefighter at Station No. 32, read about Braeden being named the local Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's 2009 "Little Boy of the Year."
In his profile, Braeden said he wanted to be a firefighter when he grew up.
Berg was moved by the story and wanted to do something.
"I knew I could do this with the guys I work with," he said.
So firefighters and others worked with Braeden's mother to make him a firefighter for the day _ a surprise for his birthday.
"It's been killing me not being able to tell him," said his mother, Brandie.
Braeden didn't know anything about what was happening until Friday morning at his school, Griffith Elementary.
During an assembly by the Sedgwick County firefighters on fire safety, it was announced that Friday was Braeden's birthday. He came forward and was told he would spend the day with the fire crew.
He and his mother hopped on a fire engine, where they traveled to the fire station. There, Braeden was presented with several gifts _ including protective firefighting gear from helmet to boots. His fire coat even had his name in reflective lettering on the back.
Berg had said that Braeden was going to be "treated like one of the other brothers here."
That was clear when Berg and others referred to him as "rookie" and made Braeden help prepare lunch.
In the afternoon, Braeden got to help fight a fire. Firefighters went to a department training site, where a fire was set in a large metal storage container. Braeden then held a hose to help put out the fire.
His mother was certain the day would be a boost to Braeden.
"He has had a real rough year," she said of Braeden, whose disease currently is in remission. "Since the beginning of the year, he's fought one thing after another.
"So yeah, this will help him a lot."
Braeden was excited about the opportunity _ and of course the gifts, including a real firefighter's badge and his fire gear.
"I might set it up in my room," he said of his gear, "so it'll be a firefighter room now."
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- Braeden Gilbert is a fighter. After all, he's just 7 years old and has to endure things like chemotherapy and IV treatments and spinal taps to fight the acute lymphocytic leukemia he was diagnosed with two years ago.
Related
- Images from the Day: Kansas.com Photo Gallery
- Boy battling cancer gets to spend a day as a firefighter (Kansas.com)
- Make a Wish Kansas Foundation
About Braeden Gilbert
So perhaps it's no surprise that Braeden, a first-grader, aspires to be a firefighter.
"You can rescue people," he said.
On Friday, his seventh birthday, Braeden was treated to a surprise when a group of local firefighters, friends and family members helped him live out his firefighter dream.
Braeden spent much of the day hanging out _ but also working _ with firefighters from Sedgwick County Fire Station No. 32, near 77th North and I-135.
"I love it," Braeden said.
The event was the culmination of several weeks of work.
It began when Clyde Berg, a firefighter at Station No. 32, read about Braeden being named the local Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's 2009 "Little Boy of the Year."
In his profile, Braeden said he wanted to be a firefighter when he grew up.
Berg was moved by the story and wanted to do something.
"I knew I could do this with the guys I work with," he said.
So firefighters and others worked with Braeden's mother to make him a firefighter for the day _ a surprise for his birthday.
"It's been killing me not being able to tell him," said his mother, Brandie.
Braeden didn't know anything about what was happening until Friday morning at his school, Griffith Elementary.
During an assembly by the Sedgwick County firefighters on fire safety, it was announced that Friday was Braeden's birthday. He came forward and was told he would spend the day with the fire crew.
He and his mother hopped on a fire engine, where they traveled to the fire station. There, Braeden was presented with several gifts _ including protective firefighting gear from helmet to boots. His fire coat even had his name in reflective lettering on the back.
Berg had said that Braeden was going to be "treated like one of the other brothers here."
That was clear when Berg and others referred to him as "rookie" and made Braeden help prepare lunch.
In the afternoon, Braeden got to help fight a fire. Firefighters went to a department training site, where a fire was set in a large metal storage container. Braeden then held a hose to help put out the fire.
His mother was certain the day would be a boost to Braeden.
"He has had a real rough year," she said of Braeden, whose disease currently is in remission. "Since the beginning of the year, he's fought one thing after another.
"So yeah, this will help him a lot."
Braeden was excited about the opportunity _ and of course the gifts, including a real firefighter's badge and his fire gear.
"I might set it up in my room," he said of his gear, "so it'll be a firefighter room now."
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by dwn164 on
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Braeden welcome to the Brotherhood. Kudos goes out to the Sedgwick County firefighters on a job well done
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Permalink Reply by Kelly Saunders on
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Nice work brothers, the extra effort should make you all proud.
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Permalink Reply by Muzaffer GÜVEN on
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good job guys
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Permalink Reply by 2hot2handle on
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What a strong little boy. My prayers go out to him and his family, and all the firefighter at that station. I would love to do something like that for someone at my station Kudos to the Fire Dept for fulfilling this dream for him. Stay safe and God Bless!!!!
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Permalink Reply by Rob Taylor on
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This is a awesome story it is similar to the one that is on the net about the child who is dying of cancer and has a fire crew come to his room in the hospital it is real touching to read these types of real life stories
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Permalink Reply by Kodie on
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wow thats a great story i bet theres alot of kids out there that would want 2 do that b/c i know i did like when i was younger i went in parades wit firefighters
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Permalink Reply by Allen on
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This is what the brotherhood is all about. Koodos to the department for making it happen and i know that Braeden will grow up to be one of us.
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Permalink Reply by dj lee on
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Great story. I hope and pray that he will make a full recovery, so he can become a firefighter someday. Great thanks to those firefighters who made his dreams come true. Again I hope he will make a full recovery. God bless him
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Permalink Reply by Alan on
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Job Well Done by the Segdwick Fire Dept. That is what brotherhood is all about, taking care of each other and our neighbors. To Braeden, hopefully he can become one of us and his remission continues.
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Permalink Reply by patricia mccarty on
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I love Clyde Berg and his guys. Go, Braeden!
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awsome you guy are great that was so nice i bet that made that boys day
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Permalink Reply by brian morris on
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There is nothing greater than making a little man's dream come true, yes i said man because he has endured more than alot of us has ever seen & deserves that title , may GOD BLESS him & all the people that made this happen.It makes me proud to be a member of the BROTHERHOOD! I'll keep Braeden in my prayers & on the prayer list at church. GOD BLESS YOU ALL & STAY SAFE OUT THERE!!!!!
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