Our mission at 76 Foundation is to provide support to pediatric and firefighter cancer patients by funding relief for today and research for tomorrow

My journey began on March 19, 2012, when the Smithfield Fire Department hired me. It didn’t take long to realize that I was made for this job, and Smithfield Fire was a perfect fit. Before long, the demands of the job led me to join an on the job fitness and wellness committee where, along with a few other firefighters, we were tasked with training new recruits and also helped fellow brothers and sisters with meal and diet plans as well as personalized workout programs tailored to meet their needs. During this time, I was lucky enough to attend some great seminars and classes on everything from nutrition, yoga, mindfulness, motivation, and cancer prevention. I quickly gained an eagerness to learn more about firefighter cancer due to its prevalence; in fact, firefighters are at a 68% greater risk for some forms of cancer than any other profession. This both puzzled and troubled me. Along with a few of my brothers and sisters, I soon joined the firefighter Members Assistance Program (MAP).  The MAP is a trained group of dedicated firefighters from across the state of Rhode Island ready to help recognize and assist in all aspects of job-related side effects. It became my mission to improve the well being of my fellow brothers and sisters of the Smithfield Fire Department. And as it would turn out, it was my well being at stake, and my family of firefighters and family and friends began the fight for me. While training a class of new recruits, I experienced what I thought was a pulled muscle, but much like any of us, I shrugged it off and thought it would pass. After a few weeks with no relief, I went to the local walk in clinic and an ultrasound showed a blockage in my right kidney. A CT and MRI would reveal much more. On Friday, October 20, 2017, I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive cancer and given only months to live. This is where the doctors found my new challenge, DSRCT, or desmoplastic small round cell tumor, a cancer with less than a 15% survival rate. I learned that I had a softball size tumor below my right kidney, 2 spots on my right hipbone, and a tumor on my liver. This was beyond stage 4. After a weekend filled with lots of tears and hugs, waking up in my bed with my 3 children, all under the age of 8, I decided that I just wasn’t ready to die. My first call was to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in East Side Manhattan. I was seen the very next day, and the center’s amazing doctors and staff took me right in, and we immediately started one of the most aggressive and comprehensive cancer treatment plans. After just a few months of treatment and surgeries, surrounded by all children, I soon learned the resilience and strength of these children was all I needed for my own motivation, not only to survive and beat this cancer, but also to do everything I could to help. With this heavy heart I walk around with and the help of countless firefighters, friends, and family, we bring you the 76 Foundation. With this foundation, we are determined to help all those who suffer with rare cancers realize there are people here for you, and it is possible with the right mind set and support to beat cancer.