One young boy went to a fire station and changed the lives of many firefighters that day. When they received the note from this special little boy, the fire captain and his men were reduced to tears, especially after reading the request on the note. No one expected something like this to happen. What could the note have said to elicit such a strong reaction?
Meet Jim Grimzer
Jim Grimzer had lived in New York City his entire life and was born there. In fact, he was the captain for the Fire Department in New York. This surprised no one since he came from a long line of firefighters. Plus, he loved to serve his local community.
Meet Jim Grimzer
Job Dangers
While working on the job, Jim suffered a tragedy. He was now confused about what to do with his life from that point forward. Overall, he realized that his career was dangerous, but this situation brought it all home to him.
Job Dangers
Losing a Good Man
Jim ended up losing a good man from the team. The young man had only recently joined their department. In fact, the captain had only met him a few times, but he felt responsible for everyone who worked for him.
Losing a Good Man
The Tragic Day
Jim was overcome with grief because of the department’s recent loss; it ate him up for weeks. He just couldn’t get out of that deep hole he was in. However, a massive change was about to come his way!
The Tragic Day
The Special Visit
One day, Jim went on the scene for a mild situation to help out his team. The group finally resolved their issue and were heading back to the station. In fact, he was there to show the firemen he had their backs and was ready to assist.
The Special Visit
The New York Fire Department
FDNY has about 10,000 firefighters that work throughout the area at different stations. Because of this, many firefighters could have been there that day, but Jim happened to be there at the right time and experienced something very powerful.
The New York Fire Department
A Special Request
One young boy walked up to Jim and had a special request. It was normal for the firefighters to have excited kids come up to them to see their fire engine. However, he sensed that this boy wanted something else.
A Special Request
Meet Trucker Dukes
Trucker Dukes had been living in the city for a bit and was a very special boy. In fact, NYC was the absolute best place for him to continue enjoying his interests. Now, his dream was about to come true, though he didn’t know it yet.
Meet Trucker Dukes
Happy Surprise
Trucker and his mother were in New York and living at the Ronald McDonald House. They were coming home from an outing, but they saw the FDNY firefighters nearby. Immediately, he was interested and then saw the captain of the department.
Happy Surprise
Starting the Conversation
Though they were heading home, they saw Jim walking to the fire engine while on a call. Therefore, Trucker and his mother approached him, starting a conversation so that Trucker could reveal his very special request.
Starting the Conversation
Trucker’s Heroes
Trucker told Jim that he loved firemen more than anything else in the world. His mother was nodding in agreement with that statement. In fact, Trucker was fascinated by the department, and his adoration went further than most children.
Trucker’s Heroes
Full Commitment
Sarah was Trucker’s mom, and she told Jim about the ornaments and trucks Trucker kept that related to firefighting. He wasn’t very interested in other toys/topics. The fire department was a huge part of his life!
Full Commitment
His Outfit
Trucker was wearing a T-shirt and jeans, but he had a firefighter jacket on top. Jim found that adorable, and it also showed how much the boy liked firefighting. Jim asked Sarah what inspired that adoration.
His Outfit
His Reason
Sarah explained that her husband was also a firefighter. Because of that, Trucker grew up hearing about firefighting and had visited his father at the fire station many times. It touched Jim’s heart as it reminded him of his family.
His Reason
Long Way from Home
Jim ended up asking if Trucker’s dad was on the New York Fire Department, but he got an answer that shocked him. Sarah and her son were from Maui, Hawaii, and the father lived there. In fact, they were going back in a week.
Long Way from Home
Trucker’s Condition
This puzzled Jim because he expected Trucker to attend school in Hawaii. However, Sarah told him that her son had neuroblastoma, which was diagnosed two years ago. They were in New York to get treatment.
Trucker’s Condition
Rare Condition
Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer that often affects kids under 5 years old. There’s no cure for these children. However, doctors can manage the symptoms, which is why Trucker was now in New York City.
Rare Condition
Stage Four Cancer
The captain and team were curious about why the pair were leaving NYC. Trucker was now at stage four with his cancer, and the family wanted to be together. The doctors couldn’t do anything more to help this little boy.
Stage Four Cancer
More Stress
Trucker’s body had already gone through a lot because of the treatments, but this caused him significant stress. His medication took a toll, too. In fact, the doctors did everything; he’d had chemo three times and went through two different surgeries.
More Stress
His Treatment
Those treatments hadn’t worked to eliminate the tumor. Therefore, the doctors couldn’t do much more to help him. Sarah and her husband realized that Trucker should be with his family now. Everyone was sad to hear the news.
His Treatment
Trucker’s Request
Jim wanted to know Trucker’s request after hearing his story. The young boy wished to be a firefighter. At first, the captain only stared, but then he bent down to get a hug. The whole team was touched and decided to do what they could.
Trucker’s Request
His Home
Jim wanted to ask the boy a question. Why had Trucker chosen the FDNY instead of the Hawaiian fire department where his dad worked? Sarah explained that Trucker noticed the captain in action and became fascinated by what happened.
His Home
The Extra Mile
Now, Jim realized that Trucker wanted to be a firefighter above all else. However, this captain still wanted things to be special. Though he could provide a badge and take some pictures, that didn’t seem to be enough.
The Extra Mile
His Plan
The captain came up with a plan and began implementing it. Sarah and Trucker were about to leave for Hawaii. Jim talked to the team, setting a date for the ceremony so that the boy could become their honorary firefighter.
His Plan
The Guest List
Jim was actually shocked to learn about the guests who would attend the ceremony. In fact, Trucker’s dad and some other relatives were now coming to New York to be there. This made him focus on getting everything to be perfect.
The Guest List
The Big Day
After the stress of planning a ceremony, Jim realized he had nothing to fear. Trucker’s family supported him. However, Joshua, Trucker’s dad, actually carried him to the podium, helping him say his firefighter vows.
The Big Day
Happy Birthday
Trucker had his birthday just a few days after his ceremony. It was filled with FDNY firefighters and his family members. Now, his wish was fulfilled. It was then that his family had to make another decision.
Happy Birthday
Ending Treatment
It would be hard to reveal the choice they made with the family, but Sarah and Joshua believed it was right for Trucker. They decided to end his treatment. Though they wanted him to be alive as long as he could, he deserved to be free of pain.
Ending Treatment
Social Media
Once the family realized they had to end Trucker’s cancer treatments, they chose to live life fully. They called it Trucker Tough Challenge, and many social media platforms shared the experience. There were plenty of things to see.
Social Media
British Columbia
Trucker, his three older siblings, and his parents went to British Columbia first. They were determined to help Trucker experience the world if they could afford it. Therefore, they went to Whistler and sled down the hills.
British Columbia
No Worries
Joshua and Sarah realized it would be challenging to afford the trips and activities because they were a large family and had plenty of medical bills for treatment. However, it was worth it all to see Trucker’s face light up.
No Worries
Gaining Support
Before long, Trucker Tough Challenge went viral. The Duke family was now overwhelmed by the support they got from strangers. Most people donated to the cause or shared it for others. Everyone just liked to see the boy have fun.
Gaining Support
Passing Away
Just a year after stopping the cancer treatment, Trucker passed away. He was in Hawaii when it happened. This young boy fulfilled his dream of being a firefighter and even spent time with the family.
Passing Away
Surprising Perspective
Everyone knows that Trucker died too soon. However, his parents don’t regret their choices. They did what they could and provided their son with an amazing life. He was happy and loved. Now, they wanted to celebrate his life, though it would be hard.
Surprising Perspective
Paying Tribute
The NYC and Hawaiian firefighters were saddened when they heard Trucker passed. They made sure to send condolences to the family. However, some felt they needed to do more for their honorary firefighter.
Paying Tribute
The Mural
The Hawaiian firefighters came together and created a beautiful memorial mural made for Trucker. Though his father was a firefighter on that department, everyone knew Trucker loved the fire service.
The Mural
The Official Register
Another thing the Hawaiian fire service did was put Trucker’s name on the official register for the department. That ensured that he lived on in the memories of those who served. His father found comfort in knowing his son’s name was beside his own.
The Official Register
Trucker’s Tombstone
Trucker’s dad knew that he wanted to keep his son close and remember him forever. The best way he could do that was by being a firefighter and doing the job his son truly loved. Joshua often visits Trucker’s grave when he’s sad.
Trucker’s Tombstone
Raising Awareness
While it’s been a few years since Sarah and Joshua lost Trucker, they still raise awareness about neuroblastoma. Plus, they now advocate for less harsh treatments to be used on children as young as their son.
Raising Awareness
Advocating
Sarah and Joshua had to pull out of their sadness after losing their son. Now, they’re working on making things easier for other parents. No one should have to endure those horrific cancer treatments, and they’re focused on finding better options.
Advocating