Volunteer first responder from Rockland battles cancer, encourages public to become bone marrow donors
The lifelong Rockland resident who is fighting leukemia has served nearly a decade as a volunteer with the Piermont Fire Department, as well as a few years with a local ambulance corps. He's encouraging the public to become bone marrow donors.
Christopher Healy, of Piermont, is in a New York City hospital getting treated for a type of leukemia known as AML.
"I had no symptoms. This all happened in a downward spiral about two months ago,” the 28-year-old tells News 12 in a virtual interview.
The lifelong Rockland resident has served nearly a decade as a volunteer with the Piermont Fire Department, as well as a few years with a local ambulance corps.
His health battle started after he got a call that his annual physical with the fire department showed unusual blood work.
Doctors are now focused on getting him into remission and then to try for a bone marrow transplant that could cure him. But he would need a donor which is why he encourages people to register to help him or others.
"The chances of being a match to me is very, very slim but you could be for someone else and save someone else’s life and that's just as important,” said Healy.
Visit the national marrow donor program website to register and get a kit to swab the inside of your cheek.
Meanwhile, hundreds have donated money to a GoFundMe that will go toward Chris’s medical bills while the Amtrak worker focuses on beating cancer.
Mom, Susan Dow, has been in the hospital with him since the beginning. She's giving thanks this holiday season to everyone who is helping them past, present and future.
Dow said, “thank you in advance for anyone else who reaches out because it really means a lot to us."
News 12 was told Healy’s recovery after being cured could take up to a year and a half.
