ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. — There’s an outpouring of help for a Metro East first responder recognized with a uncommon type of most cancers.
The 40-year-old paramedic isn’t capable of work as he undergoes therapy. Now the O’Fallon and Shiloh communities are uniting as he fights to get better.
“That’s why we get on this profession discipline, to assist different individuals. We do not prefer it once we unexpectedly change into the one needing assist,” stated paramedic Marty Nungesser.
It’s been two months now since O’Fallon-Shiloh EMS paramedic Ryan Hodge acquired the information.
“He was out for a very separate situation and he acquired some bloodwork achieved. His physician referred to as him and stated, ‘Hey, your labs aren’t what they need to be.’ …When they did the bone biopsy is after they came upon he has furry cell leukemia,” paramedic Nick Fensom stated.
“Hairy cell is a type of blood most cancers that mainly impacts the crimson blood cells. It is one thing that’s not utterly curable however they are often put in remission,” Nungesser added.
The 40-year-old firefighter instantly underwent chemo. His coworkers visited him within the hospital.
“Awesome to be there for him nevertheless it was unhappy. It’s robust seeing somebody like that, such an excellent individual undergo one thing, however he was very optimistic about it… so it stored all of us optimistic,” paramedic Alyssa Danielson stated.
“Because of a number of the infections that we see within the ambulance and a number of the different issues, they did not need him to return to work attributable to his immune system was going to be fairly broken from the chemotherapy,” Fensom stated.
As his medical payments mount, his division organized a T-shirt fundraiser. More than $2,600 has been raised up to now.
Hodge has a spouse and two younger daughters at house.
“Christmas is developing,” Danielson stated.
As the solar units over his division, a spirit of optimism is rising, crammed with hope the beloved paramedic will probably be again.
“He’s a fighter so I feel he’ll get by means of it,” Fensom stated.
Back because the robust survivor his work household is aware of him to be.
“He stated that in the present day has been one in every of his greatest days since final spring so, he stated he is feeling good,” Danielson added.
Donations can be made on the O’Fallon/ Shiloh EMS Department. They’re additionally organizing a present drive to ensure his youngsters have a Merry Christmas.
