The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
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
-
Permalink Reply by Roger Disspayne on
-
I can't do what the fire department did but if anyone from Sedgwick County Fire Station No. 32 reads this I will be glad to print any of the pictures from the day free of charge, if you want we will even do a collage of the picture up to 40 x 60 for your station. This is a great thing ya'll have done from your station. You can email me at roger@disspayne.com if you need this done. This shows what kind of a person a Firefighter is, you can not get any better then this. Everyone pray for that boy and hopefully one day he can become the Firefighter he wants to be.
Thanks God Bless You All.
Roger Disspayne
-
Permalink Reply by Brad Lieut. #407 on
-
This is what it's all about! You guys just made Braeden's life so much better and he will always remember that. Very sad story, but what a great ending, for everyone, that day. GREAT JOB STATION 32! Best wishes to FF Braeden and his family!!!!! GET WELL LITTLE BUDDY!
-
Permalink Reply by jonathan mcnemar on
-
way to go guys. thats what it is all about. making others dreams come true!!!!!!
-
-
Thats a great story!! I hope he can continue to get better and live out his dream I give that little guy a lot of credit for being as strong as he is at such a young age. Also job well done to those firefighters for setting that up for him
-
Permalink Reply by Robert C. Baker on
-
In the highest tradition of the fire service once again the fellow firefighters of Sedwick County Engine Co. 32 have gone above and beyond to make a childs dream come true. My hat is off to you and thank you I only wish more people would get involved in projects like this.
-
Permalink Reply by John Flynn on
-
To the Brothers in Sedgwick, Great Job!! It is a great thing you guys did, keep up the good works. Thanks for making in a difference in Braeden's life. The kids that recieve these special assignments will treasure it for a life time.
Captain John Flynn
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
-
Permalink Reply by Chuck Peters on
-
Great job guys. Braeden won't be the ONLY one talking about his experience for a long time. You have made an impression on many people. Congrats!
-
Permalink Reply by Bill Claus on
-
Awesome job Sedgwick County Station 32. Braeden will never forget what you did for him. My prayers are that Braeden continues to improve and becomes the firefighter he wants to be.
-
Permalink Reply by Tyler Matthew Rittwager on
-
hell yea they should make him a honory member he has a strong heart and he should pursue his dream hes one of my brothers now
-
Permalink Reply by Jake Fireman on
-
Nice Story!
-
Permalink Reply by Jennifer on
-
As a mother to a 7 year old son this article moved me . To the mother of this little boy your doing great things with him I know this becaue he seems strong from the article. To the Firefighters that did so much in 1 day for this little boy GOD BLESS YOU !! My kids are everything to me and Im glad that there are still people out there like you that would do this for someone that you dont even know. STAY STRONG BE SAFE AND TAKE CARE !!
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- Next ›
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
