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Firefighters Box to Help Save 2 Year Old Battling Brain Cancer

2 year old Dylan Wolfe has been going through chemotherapy since he was 15 months old.  At 13 months the little boy was diagnosed with brain cancer.  His mom Katie, a clerk with the L.A. County Fire Department’s Forestry Division has been shuttling little Dylan back and forth from Doctor’s appointmentdylan firefighter challenge 2s and ER visits.  She says the toddler hasn’t been able to have a play date because she’s afraid he may be exposed to germs and infection.  Throughout his young life, Dylan has received 60 IV rounds of dual dose chemo, eight MRIs, spent Mother’s Day weekend in the ER, and suffered countless fever scares, along with hair and permanent vision loss.

The treatment caused Dylan’s tumor to shrink, but doctors discovered a second tumor.  Now Katie is looking for other options and alternative treatments to detox Dylan.  Problem is, her insurance doesn’t cover those treatments.  Enter the Challenge for Dylan firefighter fundraiser.

Saturday, March 14th, many Southern California Firefighters will come to Dylan’s aid by putting on their boxing gloves.  The Challenge for Dylan event will include firefighters testing their speed, endurance, and boxing skills, in search of the strongest firefighter, all to help Dylan.  The event takes place at the Title Boxing Club in Pasadena on Saturday, March 14th at 87 Frasier Alley, across from the DeLacey parking structure.  The challenge is sponsored by the Fire Family Foundation, the charitable branch of the Firefighter’s First Credit Union which has set up a fund for Dylan.  The money will help cover the cost of the alternative treatments and other miscellaneous expenses.

dylan firefighter challenge 3Fire Family Foundation Board Chair Mike Mastro and Title Boxing Club owner Frank Perez say they’re glad to help little Dylan.  “Fire Family Foundation is pleased to partner with Title Boxing Club to support Dylan as he battles cancer,” says Mastro. “As a true family, our Foundation offers a helping hand in times of need and whether it’s a fire family member or victim, we are here to help.”

“This will be a fun friendly competition for both firefighters and the public,” says Perez. “We want to help Dylan knock out cancer.”

The event is also open to the public who will have an opportunity to go up against seasoned firefighters at the boxing bag and other activities.  Participants also get a chance to take a one-half hour boxing class and they’ll get a t-shirt and lunch provided by Pasadena Firefighter’s 809.  Tickets for participants are $30; $10 for spectators (includes lunch);  People can buy tickets ahead of the event by visiting www.FireFamilyFoundation.org/dylan.

From a press release about the event, here is more information about the Challenge for Dylan:

SCHEDULE:

·      Noon – comments/remarks from Mayor Bogaard and fire chiefs along with reps from Fire Family Foundation/Title Boxing Club; Dylan and his mother Katie are expected to be on hand

·      12:15 pm boxing bag challenge

·      12:45 pm boxing class

·      1:15 pm other challenges of strength and endurance

·      1:45 pm boxing class

·      Noon – 3 pm  Lunch served up by grilling firefighters of Pasadena Fire Department 809

·      Fire engines will be on DeLacey Street

Fire Family Foundation continues to accept donations on behalf of Dylan; donors can visit www.firefamilyfoundation.org or call 323-550-2208. Checks may be made payable to Fire Family Foundation, 815 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90041 with the notation: Challenge for Dylan.

dylan firefighter challenge 4

ABOUT FIRE FAMILY FOUNDATION

Fire Family responds when tragedy affects firefighters and fire victims.  The charitable hand of Firefighters First Credit Union, Fire Family Foundation offers immediate assistance to firefighters and their families, fire victims, fire departments, and charities.  The Foundation believes that by coming together as a “Fire Family,” assistance can be provided to those impacted by fire. Learn more at www.FireFamilyFoundation.org.

The Foundation is based in Los Angeles, but serves the state of California.