A Terminally ill toddler who loved firefighters met his New York Fire Department heroes before passing away
When Trucker Dukes was just a one-year-old, he was diagnosed with a stage 4 cancer.
He bravely endured the harsh treatments for two years, fighting until his little body could fight no more.
One group of people he won the hearts of was the New York Fire Department who formed a bond with little Trucker that continues to endure even after death.
Having a dad who was a firefighter, Trucker believed he was one of them. This brave little boy was welcomed into the firefighter family with open arms.
Mom Shauna took Trucker to New York City to receive treatment after he was diagnosed with his cancer, and it was there that his passion for all things firefighting would be taken up a notch.
Trucker stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in New York.
One day, after exploring the city with his mom, he returned to find NYC firefighters at the building responding to an incident and that’s where the bond began.
He was even made an honorary junior firefighter by the Fire Department of New York.
After Trucker’s passing, the fire departments in New York City and Maui, where his family is from, paid tribute to him by putting his name on their riding list. Ever since Trucker’s passing, his family has been working hard to raise awareness of pediatric cancer.
Trucker’s mom, Shauna told the Maui News, “I don’t know what the future looks like for us, but I’ll never stop raising awareness. Hopefully, one day there’s something less toxic and not as harsh for someone else’s baby.”