As a further measure of our commitment to community, every year, a group of members from the Nanuet Fire Engine Co. travels down to Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center in nearby New York City to visit with cancer-stricken children. In June 2007, the Nanuet Fire Engine Co. unanimously voted to accept Patrick Chance, a youngster the members met during one of their visits, as an Honorary Member of the fire department. Patrick loves firetrucks and firemen, and was very excited to become our youngest ever honorary member. Below is a short part of Patrick's story.
Patrick Chance is a five-year-old boy from Atlanta, Georgia. In early May of 2006, Patrick woke up one morning and could not walk. He had been sick on and off for a month or so, but had been diagnosed with allergies and typical childhood illnesses. At the ER that afternoon, Patrick was diagnosed with an infection of his thigh muscle. After he did not improve over the next few days, he was readmitted to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a hip infection. He returned home, and awoke the next day unable to walk again. After several weeks of doctor visits, he underwent a bone marrow biopsy to determine if his problems with leg pain, fever, night sweats, and general malaise were related to a pediatric cancer or blood disorder. At this time, we learned that our precious three-year-old had cancer, although we had yet to learn the specific type.
After testing, Patrick was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma, an aggressive cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. Neuroblastoma has no known cause and strikes approximately 600 children a year. Because it is particularly difficult to diagnose, most children with neuroblastoma are in stage IV, where five-year survival rates stand at a dismal 20 percent or less. When Patrick was diagnosed, his cancer had already spread throughout his body and bone marrow.
Since his diagnosis, Patrick has endured surgery to remove his primary tumor and place a central line, 9 rounds of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, 12 rounds of radiation, surgery to remove his central line and place a port, 9 rounds of oral chemotherapy, and 9 rounds of monoclonal antibody therapy. He has spent 75 nights in the hospital and many more days enduring blood collections, scans, and checkups. He is currently scheduled for additional surgeries to place a temporary line, harvest stem cells in case of relapse, and then remove the line.
Patrick went into remission in April of 2007, and we are so blessed to have achieved this goal. He loves Spider-Man, pirates, science, his two dogs, and playing with his sisters, Madison (6) and Anna (2). When he grows up, he says that his hope is to "heal people."
On Saturday March 29th, Patrick and his family were in New York staying at the Ronald McDonald House for a few visits to Sloane Kettering. The members of the Nanuet FD decided that this was a perfect time for Patrick to finally visit "his" firehouse for the first time. Along with a photographer 8-Patrol was dispatched to Manhattan to pick Patrick and his family up. Upon its arrival into Nanuet, the Patrol was met and escorted by a Clarkstown Police car which provided Patrick and his family with a lights and siren escort to the Prospect St. firehouse.
When he arrived, Patrick was greeted outside by an overwhelming round of applause from the NFD members and community leaders along with the entire Nanuet FD fleet of apparatus and Sparky the FireDog. After a short business meeting to swear Patrick in, he was presented with his badge and key and Ex-President Greg Tobin shared a short history of Patrick's struggle and amazing recovery with all in attendance.
After lunch, Patrick was given his choice of the Nanuet FD's fleet for his first ride on a firetruck. His choice, 8-1501, was chauffeured by Asst. Engineer Joe Koester for a short trip around Nanuet, complete with waves and cheers from local residents and motorists alike.
Before long, the time had come for Patrick to return to Manhattan, but the day will not be one he, or we will soon forget. As he said to his mother, "This is our best day ever in New York." Many of the members agreed that this was by far the happiest and most inspiring day that the Nanuet Fire Engine Co. had seen in many years.
In the summer of 2010, the Nanuet Fire Department purchased a set of firefighting bunker gear to send to Patrick. It was outfitted with authentic Nanuet patches, complete with Patrick's name across the bottom.
Thieves Can't Steal LEGO Wish:
In late January 2011, the Chance family home was burglarized. The thieves stole valuable electronics including computers, cameras, iPods, but also stole money Patrick was saving to buy LEGOs with.
Below is an article and local news coverage of the burglary.
In the early afternoon of January 9th, 2012, Patrick chance passed away. Later that day, his family wrote:
"Patrick passed away peacefully today immediately after a ray of sunshine broke through the clouds and lit up his room. He was surrounded by family and friends. Erin read Madison's birthday letter to him and then he finally won his battle. In addition to the legacy of love we spoke of last night, he will give two strangers the ability to see. How wonderful that his eyes will continue to behold God's creation.
In early May of 2006, Patrick woke up one morning and could not walk. He had been sick on and off for a month or so, but had been diagnosed with allergies and typical childhood illnesses. At the ER that afternoon, Patrick was diagnosed with an infection of his thigh muscle. After he did not improve over the next few days, he was readmitted to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a hip infection. He returned home, and awoke the next day unable to walk again. After several weeks of doctor visits, he underwent a bone marrow biopsy to determine if his problems with leg pain, fever, night sweats, and general malaise were related to a pediatric cancer or blood disorder. At this time, we learned that our precious three-year-old had cancer, although we had yet to learn the specific type.
Since his diagnosis, Patrick has endured surgery to remove his primary tumor and place a central line, 9 rounds of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, 12 rounds of radiation, surgery to remove his central line and place a port, 9 rounds of oral chemotherapy, and 9 rounds of monoclonal antibody therapy. He has spent 75 nights in the hospital and many more days enduring blood collections, scans, and checkups. He is currently scheduled for additional surgeries to place a temporary line, harvest stem cells in case of relapse, and then remove the line. 
When he arrived, Patrick was greeted outside by an overwhelming round of applause from the NFD members and community leaders along with the entire Nanuet FD fleet of apparatus and Sparky the FireDog. After a short business meeting to swear Patrick in, he was presented with his badge and key and Ex-President Greg Tobin shared a short history of Patrick's struggle and amazing recovery with all in attendance.
