Crime & Safety

Firefighters Rally to Help 7-Year-Old Leukemia Patient

The 7-year-old daughter of a Somerville Fire Department lieutenant was diagnosed with leukemia on Thursday. Fire department colleagues jumped into action to help the family.

When a Somerville fire lieutenant and his family received the news on Thursday—that their 7-year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia—colleagues in the department jumped into action.

The girl started treatment immediately, meaning she'll be spending the next six weeks at Boston Children's Hospital, and the family will need to make weekly trips to the hospital for the next two years.

The news sent a shockwave through much of the department, according to one firefighter, because it affected a close colleague, and many firefighters have young children, too.

Although the girl's treatment is covered by insurance, the family will face a number of expenses over the next two years, including co-payments, parking costs in Boston and the need to find occasional childcare for their other daughter, who's 4 years old.

To help them out, members of the department started a fundraising website, with the goal of raising $20,000 to help the family. After being live for two days, the site raised more than $11,000.

If you're interested in helping out, you can visit the page at GoFundMe.com.


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