Medford Police and Fire
rally around MGH fC patient
When 3-year-old Alyssa
Cassarino of North Reading, MA, became
ill with leukemia, she did not have to
face her fight alone. The daughter of
Officer Frank Cassarino of the Medford
Police Department, Alyssa and her family
received an outpouring of support from
the city's local police and fire
departments. Each September, the two
departments compete against one another
in a charitable softball game, and this
year they decided to donate a portion of
the proceeds to the Pediatric
Hematology-Oncology Unit at the Mass
General Hospital for Children
(MGH
fC), where Alyssa is being treated.
Raising more than $3,500, the group was
able to purchase toys, books and DVDs
for patients at the clinic. On Oct. 29,
members of both departments along with
Alyssa; her sister, Samantha; her
mother, Jen; and Frank visited the
clinic to personally deliver the items.
We
chose the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Unit because of the truly wonderful work
that they perform on behalf of children
with cancer, says Officer Jack Buckley,
who organized the police department's
donation. Their dedication and devotion
to a family-centered clinic truly make
the organization worthy of our support.
OUTPOURING OF
SUPPORT:
Medford Police and
Fire department representatives and the
Cassarino family donate gifts to the MGH
fC.
