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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.
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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 kris on
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that little boy some day will grow up and be a real firefighter and make a living and enjoy every moment of it. :D
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Permalink Reply by Captain Kevin C. Ross on
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Congratulations to the crew that made this happen!!! JOB WELL DONE!!!
To Brother Firefighter Braeden congratulations on your appointment to the fire department and welcome aboard!!! Captain Kevin C. Ross Pembroke, NY Fire Department
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Permalink Reply by D.C. Sterbenz on
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Good job Wichita Fire. You did a great thing.
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Permalink Reply by Mick Shelley on
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May the good lord be with him, so that one day he will fulfill his dream of being our brother
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Permalink Reply by Anthony Bernal on
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GREAT STORY and it shows the kindness of the people in the public safety field.
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Permalink Reply by Eric on
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Awesome story! Awesome job by all who helped put this together. To the crew, you just made that little boy's dreams come true, well done. My best wishes to Braeden and his family. God bless.
-Eric
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Permalink Reply by Deanna on
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This is wonderful news. I would have loved to see that young mans face light up!!! =)
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Permalink Reply by hector on
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JOB WELL DONE!!! and Congratulations to the crew for doing a good thing and making his day , welcome aboard!!!
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Permalink Reply by David Hodges on
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This is what the fire service is really about. I am sure Braeden will join the ranks of a FF one day. I wish you the best of luck and thanks again to the Sedgwick FFs. You guys are great!!! Stay safe.
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Permalink Reply by Bob Allard on
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This is what the brotherhood is all about, helping others in there time of need, I would like to see if this sort of thing could go on in every city and every department in the USA, we need to all get together and make it happen and we can help like you guys did. I hope someone out there in city, state county or as far as the federal, or the IAFF and says yet we can do this.
GREAT JOB
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Permalink Reply by Nathan Kenyon on
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Great Story! Good Job Guys! I really wish this would happen in more communities around the country. I hope that Brandon's disease stays in remission and he can grow up to fulfill all of his dreams.
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Permalink Reply by mike on
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it's people like you all that makes this world a better place, he's a beautiful little boy, things like this will make him and fighter and not want to give up. may god bless him and his family and to all the firefighters out there, may god watch over you and keep you all safe.
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