St. Johns Firefighter Battles Cancer

After serving the community in St. Johns County as a firefighter and paramedic for the last 12 years, 33-year-old firefighter Matthew Hooker is in need of help himself.

Recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer, Matt has been battling this disease with fervent determination and the support of his brothers and sisters from St. Johns County Fire Rescue, his family, and his friends.

His Facebook profile is filled with posts talking about how he will beat the cancer and with support from more people than one can count. Matt is one of those people that you meet and instantly like. He is quick to joke with you and very outgoing.

I had the opportunity to spend some time with Matt during the SALA Point to Point race this year and see firsthand just how much effort he puts into helping others. He was on the beach at 3am working to help set the course and move Kayaks across the water in the pitch black hours of the morning.

Matt has not been able to return to work as a firefighter-paramedic at this point and we are told by people close to him that he is not talking currently at doctors orders so Facebook, E-mail and text messaging is about the only way to “talk” with Matt.

Matt has freely offered his time for many local charity events and now he needs some help from you. As a St. Augustine native, he needs the support of the community he has worked so hard to protect all these years.

On Saturday November 13th and Sunday November 14th, 2010, there will be a yard sale at 532 Woodchase Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32086. The sale will include a large amount of Matt’s personal property and is an effort to downsize as well as raise funds.

Turn out on Saturday and help Matt by buying a few things form his sale.

Some of the items for sale include:

Lazy Boy leather sectional couch with full sized pull-out bed and chaise (originally paid $4600 less than 18 months ago – asking $2500 today), more great furniture, hundreds of DVD’s, 13″ flat screen TV w/remote (like new) $50, musical equipment (Peavey 6505+ 1×12 combo and ORIGINAL Peavey 5150 4X12 guitar cabinet and guitar accessories), vinyl record collection, firefighter memorabilia, household appliances, clothing, tools, fishing equipment (even a really neat “ganoe” canoe and 3hp trolling motor!!!) DVD’s $1-8, Washer/Dryer $50 each, Chest Freezer $75!!

Christopher Kimball, IFPA
Publisher, Fire Service News

Photo credits: © 2010 Fire Service News – Christopher Kimball, photographer