Wish of the Week – Aaron

By MWF
August 27, 2009

Four-year old Aaron wanted more than anything to be a cowboy. Aaron’s wish was a special occasion for him and his family, and it marked a special milestone for the Make-A-Wish Foundation – its 50,000th wish.

Like many little boys his age, Aaron loves horses and wanted to be a cowboy. Aaron’s wish was granted by the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation^® in California. Aaron spent a week as a cowboy on a working ranch near Dillon, Mont.

On the night of his arrival, Aaron was the honored guest at a welcoming barbeque. The next day he was outfitted in a complete new set of “cowboy clothes,” just in time to be introduced to his own ranch horse. He then spent the next few days getting the feel of the saddle, eating cowboy grub around the campfire, attending the Beaverhead County Fair, riding in Dillon’s Labor Day parade, and just enjoying cowboy life under Montana’s famous Big Sky.

When he sees someone wearing a cowboy outfit, he says “They must be from Montana, Mommy.”

Source: Make A Wish Foundation

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Officer of the Week – Sergeant Timothy A. Roy

Remember September 11, 2001
Angels Among Us
Sergeant Timothy A. Roy
Shield 2926
Traffic Control Division Bus Unit
August 26, 2009

 

Editor’s Note: We at the Chronicle, will never forget those police officers, who have given their lives in 9/11. Each week we will honor one with their stories.

This week we feature:

Sergeant Timothy A. Roy
Shield 2926
Traffic Control Division Bus Unit

Timothy Roy was on his way to traffic court when he got the news of the World Trade Center disaster and ran to help. He was last seen in Building 5 helping a burn victim. “That was him. The first one on any scene. Right in there,” said his wife, Stacey.

Roy, 36, is a sergeant for the bus squad of the New York City Police Department. The lifelong Massapequa Park resident is a graduate of Berner High School in Massapequa. He and his wife have three children-Caitlyn, 10, Brittney, 7, and Timmy Jr., 3. Roy, a 16-year veteran of the police department, has eight siblings, including three brothers in the fire department and another brother who is a police officer. Among Roy’s awards is a unit citation for his work during the Crown Heights riot in 1991.

– New York Newsday Victim Database 2001

Source: NYP Angels

Patient of the Week – Talyn Conley

By St. Jude/PIO
August 25, 2009

Talyn Conley
2 years old

Diagnosis: Talyn was found to suffer from bilateral retinoblastoma in April 2008.

Talyn’s Story:

The first indication that something was wrong with Talyn came during a well baby checkup when she was 10 months old. Talyn’s doctor noticed a whiteglare in her eyes and sent Talyn and her mom to a specialist. The news was devastating. Talyn suffered from cancerous tumors in both her eyes, known as bilateral retinoblastoma.

Talyn was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital right away. “We didn’t have time to go home,” said Talyn’s mom. “Once the doctor said weneeded to go to St. Jude, we got right on a plane. Our whole world changed overnight.” Within hours, Talyn and her parents were on their way to Memphis.

At St. Jude:

When they arrived at St. Jude, Talyn’s parents were full of worry, but St. Jude staff assured them that their baby was at the best place possible for her treatment. Talyn underwent seven months of chemotherapy and four laser surgeries on her eyes.

Talyn’s parents felt anxious about the cost of their daughter’s medical treatment, and they were understandably overwhelmed. Talyn’s dad said he would work three jobs if necessary to save his little girl.

But when they learned St. Jude provides treatment regardless of the family’s ability to pay, they were amazed and relieved. “We didn’t know that St. Jude helps out so much,” Talyn’s mom said. “It was a big load off our shoulders.” They were able to focus on what was important—getting Talyn well.

Talyn responded well to treatment. Her doctors are hopeful they were able to save her eyesight. In December, Talyn was able to return home in time for Christmas. She visits St. Jude every six weeks for checkups. Talyn is walking and talking, and has a new puppy with whom she loves to play.

Editor’s Note: To help give hope to children like Talyn who are fighting life-threatening illnesses, please become a Partner In Hope.

We would like to know what you Think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Source: St Jude Hospital

Firefighter of the Week – Assistant Chief Gerard A. Barbara

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
August 25, 2009

A Dad and Yankees Lover

Since Sept. 11, scores of well wishers have packed the small Staten Island home of Gerard Barbara, assistant chief of the New York Fire Department. Mr. Barbara’s wife and two children recognize many of the faces, but not all of them. In an odd twist, they end up consoling some of the visitors, who appear lost. Many just want to hang on to any memory of the chief, who was widely respected and loved for his humanitarian spirit, said his wife, Joanne.

“People I’ve never seen before are saying, ‘You don’t understand, I loved your dad,’ ” said a son, Paul, 23. “I say, I do understand, he was my dad!’ ”

Mr. Barbara, 53, a 31-year veteran of the Fire Department, was one of the city’s highest-ranking supervisors. He was walking toward the lobby of the second trade center tower when the building collapsed.

Paul said that when he and his sister, Caren, were growing up, they had no idea that their father was an important member of the Fire Department, because he was just a dad who was wild about the Yankees.

Caren said: “If the terrorists think they have won, they haven’t. This whole thing just drove my dad deeper into our hearts. He died doing one of the things he liked best, trying to save people.”

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on October 4, 2001.

Source: Legacy

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Wish of the Week – Priscilla 13 Years Old

By MWF
August 22, 2009

Millions of children dream about becoming superstars, and using their talents to reach audiences around the world. Priscilla’s dreams revolve around music—she wants to be a professional singer.

Priscilla is 13 years old, and when the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida entered her life, she knew exactly what she wanted to do. She wanted to record her very own CD. With a little help from her new friends—namely legendary music producer Emilio Estefan—Priscilla can now proudly call herself a professional recording artist.

After determining her wish, the budding young star was whisked to Miami for a star-studded weekend. After spending her first evening at a 5-star hotel, the hotel staff knew they had a celebrity on their hands. At the hotel salon, Priscilla received a full makeover, before she headed to her photo shoot—after all, every professionally recorded CD needs a cover.

Finally, Priscilla arrived at Emilio’s studio—the same location artists such as Jon Secada and Emilio’s wife Gloria began their paths to stardom. Priscilla never imagined that she would achieve her lifelong dream by recording with one of the world’s most renowned music producers, and much less that it would happen when she was 13 years old.

After a long afternoon in the studio, Priscilla’s CD was completed and the music industry was introduced to its newest recording artist.

Source: Make A Wish Foundation

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Officer of the Week – Sergeant Rodney C. Gillis

Remember September 11, 2001
Angels Among Us
Sergeant Rodney C. Gillis
Shield 1889
ESU-8
August 19, 2009

 

Editor’s Note: We at the Chronicle, will never forget those police officers, who have given their lives in 9/11. Each week we will honor one with their stories.

This week we feature:

Sergeant Rodney C. Gillis
Shield 1889
ESU-8

New York City Police Officer Rodney Gillis had just finished his shift, which ended at 8 a.m., and was hanging around talking to his fellow officers with the Emergency Services Unit when the first plane smashed into the World Trade Center. As usual, he was the first one on the scene.

Gillis, 34, and other Emergency Services officers, who included his former high school teacher, Police Officer John Dallara from ESU Truck 3, were believed to be in the belly of the South Tower when it collapsed, Green said. ” We know his team penetrated deep into the building.”

Both Gillis and Dallara are among the 23 missing city police officers.

Gillis joined the department in 1988. Promoted to sergeant in 1997, he was loved and respected by his men in Emergency Services Truck 8, said Gillis’ former supervisor retired Lt. Richard Green, because he was brave and strong. ” And just a terrific guy.”

Green noted that Gillis, a Brownsville resident, was ” a Brooklyn boy through and through.” His mother, Geraldine, also lives in Brooklyn and his father, Otha, lives in North Carolina. He attended Park West High School in Brooklyn as a talented student and received a certificate from St. John’s University in Queens and a degree from the Island Drafting and Technical Institute in Amityville.

To those who know him, Gillis is thought of as something of a Renaissance man. On the job, he was trained as a scuba diver, has his EMT certification, is trained in emergency psychology and is also a technician who deals with hazardous materials. Off the job, he was remodeling both his and his parents’ home. He loves to play saxophone and is devoted to his three children..

But his dedication to the job, the one that made him run out the door with the rest of the crew after his shift was done, is what defined Gillis, Green said. ” He’s a true warrior.”

– New York Newsday Victim Database 9/26/2001

Source: NYP Angels

Soldier of the Week – Joshua Simson

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
August 22, 2009

Editor’s Note:
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Awarded: Silver Star

In 2007, Navy HM2 Joshua Simson was embedded with a joint U.S. military and Afghan National Army patrol to conduct key leader engagements in the village of Saret Kholet.  Simson was serving as an advisor on how to be a medical first responder.

On July 27, Simson demonstrated what committed first responders do when he repeatedly placed himself in the line of fire from machine guns, AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenades to single-handedly provide aid to more than a dozen wounded U.S. and Afghan National Army soldiers during an attack.

“After talking with the elders, we pushed further east to establish an observation post to watch a certain river crossing.  A squad of Afghan National Army had pushed across the river to clear two houses and spotted bad guys,” Simson explained.  “The Afghans fired at them, causing the Anti-Afghan Forces to initiate their ambush prematurely.”

“We were in the kill zone, but since we hadn’t pushed as far down the road as we had intended, we weren’t entirely surrounded,” said Simson, who joined the Navy in September 2005 out of a sense of obligation and ‘to pay back a small part of the debt towards the cost of freedom.’

“I knew about the heritage of corpsmen before I joined and the job appealed to me…taking care of my brothers on the battlefield,” Simson stated.

The ambush led to a seven-and-a-half hour battle.  At one point, Simson pulled a wounded soldier into a nearby bunker to provide cover.  Immediately after entering the bunker, it suffered a direct hit.  Dazed, but undeterred, Simson finished treating the Afghan soldier.

“We were caught in a very deadly crossfire.  We took a lot more casualties during this phase of the movement.” Simson said.  “I was taking care of casualties as best I could during the march out without becoming one myself.”

Throughout the ordeal, Simson said he repeated a sequence of tasks over and over.  “See or hear somebody need help, put out suppressive fire, move the man to cover if possible, and render lifesaving aid.”

Eventually the unit got to a clearing where it was safe to evacuate the injured.

“I was just trying to help out,” Simson recalled. “We were all a little exhausted by the end of the day.”

Simson was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on the battlefield; his willingness to expose himself repeatedly to potential injury or death coupled with his composure under fire was exemplary and inspiring to his fellow servicemen and the Afghan soldiers.
“There are many, many other sailors out there who perform incredible acts but fail to get properly recognized,” he said of the medal.  “It feels weird to have the attention for just trying to do the job that was required of me.  The men with me that day displayed great courage and determination in the face of withering fire.  This is what gave me the strength to do my job…my buddies who were right there with me.”

• Hometown: Overland Park, KS
• Awarded: The Silver Star

 

Editor’s Note: Excerpts from an article by Loren Stanton, Sun Publications, Sept. 23, 2008.

We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

 

Source: Our Military

Patient of the Week – Bria Brown

By Shands/PIO
August 20, 2009

Bria Brown, a 13 year-old Miami girl, calls herself the Queen Bee Survivor — and that she is. When she was only 6 years old, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare, progressive form of bone cancer. The disease targets the knees, one of the fastest growing areas in the legs. Osteosarcoma is so rare that only one baby in a million will develop the disease.

Bria’s mother Carol took Bria to the emergency room to be treated for an unrelated illness when Bria reminded her to talk with the doctor about the pain she was experiencing in her left leg. “I thought the pain had come from her jumping around and running,” said Brown.

Bria’s mother said after Bria was diagnosed with bone cancer, their lives were turned upside down. “Bria was hospitalized for almost nine months in Miami Children’s Hospital. She lost all of her hair from the chemotherapy, and I lived at the hospital,” said Brown.

After Bria completed chemotherapy seven years ago, she and her parents learned that the bone cancer had spread to other areas in her leg. The recommended solution was amputation. “That just wasn’t an option for us,” said Brown, who was determined to spare her daughter’s leg and quality of life.

Bria’s physician referred her family to a University of Florida orthopaedic surgeon in Gainesville who was helping patients avoid amputation thanks to a new rod implantation procedure.

“My husband told the doctor that we were radical people who were willing to consider anything besides amputation,” added Brown.

Life-changing surgery

In 2001, Bria and B. Hudson Berrey, M.D., a professor in the UF Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, met for the first time with the hope of sparing Bria’s leg.

“Because the disease had almost spread to her hip, they didn’t think she was a candidate for a limb-sparing procedure, which is why they recommended amputation,” said Berrey, who performed Bria’s initial surgery seven years ago at Shands at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Berrey said the most difficult part of performing the seven-hour surgery was removing all of the cancer, then removing the diseased femur (thigh bone). Berrey reconstructed Bria’s leg using a custom-made implant.

“The first rod grew her leg a fair number of inches, and then two years ago she had a revision. I replaced the original one, which had gotten as long as it would go. I redesigned the proximal end and put a new rod in to continue to watch her grow,” said Berrey.

As Bria grows, her leg can be lengthened by heating an element in the implant that allows a spring inside of it to expand, thus allowing her left leg to grow the same length as the right leg.

Berrey has shared this procedure with other orthopaedic surgeons but says there are very few surgeons who will do this type of procedure and address these problems. “You have to believe in it, and I believe it is the best solution that we have at this point in time,” said Berrey.

Building lasting relationships

Bria and her family make the trip to Shands Jacksonville every three to four months to have her leg adjusted. Berrey, who was appointed chair of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at the UF College of Medicine-Jacksonville in 2002, have continued to develop a very special relationship with the Brown family. Bria says because Berrey saved her leg, she now wants to attend the UF and become a pediatrician.

“I want to give back because it is something I enjoy doing,” said Bria, who spends a lot of time dancing, and participating in extracurricular activities. She currently holds a 3.7 grade point average and has raised more than $120,000 for the American Cancer Society as a volunteer. “I will be going to Washington, D.C., in May to represent the state of Florida for the Spirit of the Community Award that will be presented by the American Cancer Society.”

Berrey said it has been a rewarding experience working with Bria and getting to know her family. “When I first met Bria, her sister Jada was just a baby and now she’s 6 years old, the same age Bria was when I performed her initial surgery. Now I have a special relationship with her father Ed Brown and her grandparents.”

Source: Shands Children Hospital

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Firefighter of the Week – Peter J. Ganci, Jr. Chief of Dep.

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
August 19, 2009

“Of all my parents’ friends, the only one happy going to work was a member of 120 Truck. I was only 16 then, but that is when I decided I wanted to be a fireman,” said Peter J. Ganci, Jr., Chief of Department.

Obviously, a wise decision–one that was prodigious for Chief Ganci, as well as the FDNY. As Chief of Department, Chief Ganci was responsible for both Fire and EMS Operations, Training and Fire Prevention and also was required to represent uniformed members of the Department at ceremonial functions.

It is no secret that firefighters enjoy their time in the firehouse. It’s where the action is, where they want to be. Headquarters is the antithesis of this and many balk when assigned there. Chief Ganci took a different tack when called upon. Although he, too, loved the action of the field, he viewed his assignment at Headquarters as “giving back to the FDNY.” In Chief Ganci’s opinion, “Staff Chiefs have the opportunity to make things better for the firefighters coming after us.”

At Headquarters, “we have the opportunity to make an impact. I’m very proud of the Incident Safety Officers Program (formulated in conjunction with former UFOA President Deputy Chief Artie Parrinello). I could not have accomplished this in the field; here, it’s a different story.”

Accustomed to action, working at Headquarters was a difficult adjustment for the Chief. “It seems that I spend an excessive amount of time trying to resolve one conflict or another. Most of the issues I face daily are problems of some sort. It doesn’t leave much time to acknowledge the good our guys do every day,” said Chief Ganci. “One of the most difficult aspects of my job is striking a balance between an obligation to the public and our members. I continually strive to do the right thing by both.”

How will Chief Ganci be remembered? He hopes as “a good fireman…a good Chief.” The name Ganci will continue to be familiar for many years to come, however, as Peter, III, now is a firefighter, assigned to Ladder 111.

Source: New York City Fire Department

Officer of the Week – Sergeant Michael S. Curtin

Remember September 11, 2001
Angels Among Us
Sergeant Michael S. Curtin
Shield 3256
ESS-2
(recovered)
August 12, 2009

Editor’s Note: We at the Chronicle, will never forget those police officers, who have given their lives in 9/11. Each week we will honor one with their stories.

This week we feature:

Sergeant Michael S. Curtin
Shield 3256
ESS-2

Sergeant Michael S. Curtin, 45, was appointed to the NYPD on January 26, 1988, after serving 12 years of active duty in the United States Marine Corps. He began his career on patrol in Field Training Unit 13. He was originally assigned to ESU in July 1991, but saw his police career interrupted when, as a USMC reservist, he was called to duty during Desert Storm. Serving on the front lines, he held the rank of gunnery sergeant and retired from the Reserves as a Sergeant Major. After returning to the NYPD, he responded to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and was also assigned to FEMA in the Oklahoma City rescue efforts. He was promoted to sergeant in December 1995, and re-assigned to ESU in 1998. Although he had recently taken up golf, most of his spare time was spent working on his house. He is survived by his wife Helga; children Jennifer, Erika, and Heather; and brother Jack.

– SPRING 3100, Commemorative Issue

Source: NYP Angels

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