By NADIRA FOSTER-WILLIAMS
The Friends of Firefighters Inc. proved to be a source of hope and support to firefighters, families and volunteers alike in Red Hook Tuesday morning.
Unfinished floors, pre-war bronze helmets, international helmets, caps and t-shirts of eras past, and decaying location boards from fire squads of yore contributed to the historical sense of community preserved in the firehouse built in 1886 and out of commission since 1962, that is now home to the organization.
It is here that Tim Hogan, 8-year fireman of Engine 216 in Williamsburg, held a blood donor drive for his 2-year old son, Owen who has been diagnosed with aplastic anemia. The drive was one of 15 that have been scheduled for Owen this year.
“He’s pretty incredible, he runs around and puts smiles on our faces all day long,” Hogan said, “It’s pretty hard to tell he is sick…At two years old, his favorite song is ‘Hotel California,’” Hogan added, laughing.
When Owen was 23-months-old, his parents began noticing bruises on his legs, dismissing them as marks of his lively activity.
“Soon the bruises started hanging around longer and weren’t consistent with what he was doing,” recalled Hogan, “His mother found red spots on his skin and ‘Googled’ them.” What Mrs. Hogan found was that these bumps called, “petechiae,” are symptoms of Aplastic Anemia.
This type of anemia is a bone marrow disorder in which bone marrow stops producing blood cells.
The Hogans called their doctor and took Owen for bloodwork in April. Owen has since stopped responding to treatment.
“It’s a moment that freezes in time,” Hogan said. “The actual words of ‘It’s aplastic anemia’ is forever in my mind and I will never forget the way that office looks, the smell; it’s a moment that just freezes in time.”
“One of the saddest things is that he can’t go to the playground,” Hogan lamented.
Despite turf rivalries between police officers and firefighters, Owen’s drive yielded a notable presence from precincts throughout the city.
Buddy Hachemeister of the 72nd precinct in Sunset Park came to show his support before going to work that morning.
“I couldn’t sleep, and I saw the story on the news…” said Hachemeister, “I just wanted to support this little boy and it was a very simple process.”
Donating blood is low risk, involving a one day blood drawing.
Hachemeister has two children of his own, ages 22 and 24. His son was sick when he was born, but he had the support of his large family.
“He wasn’t sick like this,” Hachemeister said.
Hachemeister filled out a single form once he checked a list of requirements for donors and swabbed both of his cheeks one at a time, for 10 seconds each.
This is to form a clean sample of his cells to see if he could be a match for Owen Hogan, or any other affiliate of the Friends of Firefighters who may need a donation.
“A match is rare-a perfect match is very rare…” said Hogan, “Every single name that gets added to the list is a new hope.”
“I’m remaining optimistic, but realistic about my son,” Hogan went on, “My wife and I agreed, we’re going to save someone’s life and we hope its Owen.”
“If it takes his face to get the word out on this disease and what we can do about it, then so be it.”
Jack Kirkland, 26, donor recruitment coordinator for the Hogans, has been working with the family since Owen’s diagnosis.
“To be a parent and know that the one person who could save your child’s life is not on the registry is heartbreaking,” said Kirkland.
“Tim puts on a brave face for something that is incomprehensible, even for his line of work,” Kirkland said.
Of 380 million people in the country, only 10 million are registered as donors, which is painless and free.
“If every eligible person registered, we could change the odds of these diseases. As of now, literally half the patients looking for donors will never receive treatment,” said Kirkland.
Actor Steve Buscemi, a former firefighter showed his support by signing up as a potential donor.
“It’s easy for me to be here,” said the star of cable TV’s hit show “Boardwalk Empire”, “But what the Hogans are going through and what the Friends of Firefighters are doing is work.”
“There is a cure,” said Buscemi, “We just need to find the right match.”
To further support Owen, his family, and possibly sign up as a donor, visit www.aheroforowen.com.
“If you have to choose to do something, I would rather people register as a general donor,” said Hogan, “You never realize how important this is until it happens to you.”
General donor signups can be completed at www.deletebloodcancer.org.
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