Stories Associated with The Zachary Project...
Index of Stories Currently Posted:

- Melbourne Firefighters Son Battles Leukemia

- Firefighter's Son Loses Battle

- FDNY Chief Edward F. Crocker 1908

- Ken Atkinson (Treasurer Local 1951), Melbourne, FL

- Eric Hargreaves, Melbourne FL

- Sandy McCall, Melbourne, FL

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BY LYN DOWLING
FOR FLORIDA TODAY

Nov 16, 2004—Melbourne Central Catholic High School and Olympic Development Program goalkeeper Sean Hargreaves was not happy one day last month, when his parents, Eric and Chris, came to pull him out of class.

The last thing the 16-year-old sophomore wanted was to blow a biology test.

"He was afraid that by leaving the test early, he'd get a bad grade and wouldn't be able to make it up," Eric Hargreaves said. "I told him, 'You're leaving to be tested for lymphoma. Forget about the biology test. I think they'll understand.'"

The people at MCC do understand, as do the people at Sean's former school, Melbourne High, as do soccer supporters throughout Brevard County.

They have joined forces to support him in his fight against what eventually was diagnosed as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

"About three weeks ago, he had a swollen lymph node, so we took him to the doctor, who thought it was an (ordinary) infection," said Eric, a firefighter-paramedic for the City of Melbourne. "He was put on an antibiotic, but during the course of the antibiotic treatment, he developed six more swollen lymph nodes.

"We talked to (former MCC soccer team physician) Dr. Mario Oliveira and he made some calls for us, so we took Sean for a biopsy on the following Monday with Dr. Cliff Thompson. The results came back on Wednesday that he had lymphoma."

Told that Sean's condition could not be treated here, his physicians suggested a teaching hospital, and for illnesses like his, one of the best is the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

That was a good suggestion for the Hargreaveses, who have family members in the Boston area, including some in health care.

Now Sean's physicians include the man who designed the protocol for treatment of his illness, and he is expected to remain in Boston until January, undergoing intense and painful chemotherapy treatments. The first stage is expected to be a two-year regimen.

Meanwhile, family and friends cannot help but marvel at the West Melbourne resident's spirit. That same spirit is evident on the field.

Hargreaves has played for some of the Brevard Youth Soccer League's most successful clubs (Melbourne-Eau Gallie, Space Coast United and Indialantic). He also was selected for the 1988 Florida ODP team and starred for Mel-Hi before transferring to MCC earlier this year.

"Sean is one of my favorite players: fun- loving, but very competitive, and a talented boy," said Mel Hi and Indialantic Coach Jerry McCabe. "I was worried last year about him being a varsity starting goalkeeper as a freshman, but he handled the pressure fine and excelled.

"He does not seem to be affected by pressure. That's the same way he has handled this; as a matter-of-fact, something else he must overcome. He is a true champion."

The goofy grin for which Sean is so well-known in soccer circles remains with him in Boston, as does the easygoing outlook, according to his father.

"The I-don't-give-a-hoot attitude that has driven me absolutely nuts for the past 16 years is paying off," Eric said. "His main concern right now is, 'When I get home will I be able to kiss anyone?' IOU vouchers will be made available."

Still, Sean's illness has been tough on his family, not least of all on his 17-year-old brother Justin, a soccer and football player at MCC.

"Justin is having a rough go. It hit him pretty hard," his father said.

Sean's treatment also is going to be costly.

"We anticipate over $1 million worth of expense over the course of two years," Eric said, and quickly added that the academic, sporting and professional communities have jumped in to help.

The City of Melbourne Professional Firefighters, I.A.F.F. Local 1951, has started a Web site and trust fund for Sean. Students at MCC have planned fundraisers and awareness-related events. Soccer players from everywhere have expressed their support.

"The people at MCC have been unreal; so supportive," Eric said. "And the other night, the entire Mel Hi soccer team showed up at our house. It's been unbelievable. It's not just our soccer teams, it's the whole soccer community."

They all wait, together.

Sean's initial course of treatment will last four weeks, after which some indication of the future should come.

"On Day 28, we will know if he is going to be cured or not. If he is found to be in remission, we've won," Eric said. "That will be Dec. 9.

"Sean is (optimistic), still the same kid," his father said with a little marvel and huge pride. "He never goes into anything not convinced he will win."

Donations to the Sean Hargreaves Trust Fund should be taken or mailed to BB&T Bank 450 East Eau Gallie Blvd. Indian Harbor Beach, FL 32937.

Online donations and messages for Sean Hargreaves may be sent via the Web site set up by City of Melbourne Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 1951, at www.helpsean.com.

 

In Loving Memory...

Rest In Peace Sean Sean Hargreaves 1988 - 2006 May God take you now into his loving arms and welcome you into His kingdom. You will be missed and never forgotten. Your fight is now over and you can rest. Please know that we were all blessed to have known you. That wretched disease might have taken your physical body from us but your spirit will live on in each of us who knew and loved you. As your spirit lives on in our memories so too will it live on in heaven. And someday, when His will determines that our time too has passed here on this earth, we shall see you again. Until then, Rest In Peace.

 

 

FDNY Chief Edward F. Crocker 1908

But her Mommy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid; She knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates, of why he wasn\'t there today.

But still her mother worried, for her to face this day alone.
And that was why, once again, she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school, eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees, a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats.

One by one the teacher called, a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed.

At last, the teacher called her name, every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching, for a man who wasn't there.

"Where's her daddy at?" she heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one," another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back, she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad, too busy to waste his day."

The words did n0ot offend her, as she smiled up at her mom.
And looked back at her teacher, who told her to go on.

And with her hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child, came words incredibly unique.

"My daddy couldn\'t be here, because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be, since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy, and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories, he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses, and taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes, and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him, I'm not standing here alone.

Cause my daddy\'s always with me, even though we are apart.
I know because he told me, he'll forever be in my heart."

With that, her little hand reached up, and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat, beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears.........
Proudly watching her daughter, who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her, doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft, but it\'s message clear and loud.

"I love my daddy very much; he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here, but Heaven\'s just too far.

You see, he was a fireman, and died just this past year
When airplanes hit the towers and taught Americans to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes, and saw him there that day.

And to her mother's amazement, she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children, all starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them, who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second, they saw him at her side.

"I know you\'re with me Daddy," to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers, of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it, for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk behind her, was a fragrant long stemmed rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing, that Heaven is never too far.

They says it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to
appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

Ken Atkinson (Treasurer Local 1951), Melbourne FL

Eric Hargreaves, Melbourne FL

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In Phoenix, Arizona, a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6-year-old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams.

Now that was no longer possible. The leukemia would see to that.

But she still wanted her son's dreams to come true. She took her son's hand and asked, "Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?"

"Mommy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."

Later that day she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her six-year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.

Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy one - with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.

They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast."

Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his fire uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls.

He rode in the different fire engines, the paramedic's van, and even the fire chief's car.

He was also videotaped for the local news program. Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.

One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition. The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It's just the fire department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?"

About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window. 16 firefighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him.

With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?"

"Billy, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand," the chief said.

With those words, Billy smiled and said, "I know, He's been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been singing."

He closed his eyes one last time.

Lt. Sandy McCall, Melbourne FL

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