Categories
San Diego Fire Relief Association

Sergio Rivera

SOFIA AND SERGIO’S STORY:

June 2019 was going well for the Rivera family. Sergio had just graduated from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s 87th Fire Academy, and they were moving to San Diego while he was on probation for a year. All was going great, but then, his daughter, 11-year-old Sofia began to feel nauseous and was vomiting frequently. 

Sofia had always been pretty healthy, active, happy, and energetic. She participated in cheer, cross country, dance, and soccer. Her illness immediately prompted her dad to take her to Urgent Care in Los Angeles where she was diagnosed with a stomach flu and was given meds for the nausea. Sofia’s symptoms continued for 3 weeks, and on June 21st, everything changed. Sofia got very sick. Sergio knew something was very wrong, so they immediately took her to the local emergency room. 

The doctors ran a lengthy list of tests, and 4 hours later, they determined that Sofia had kidney failure. On June 23rd, Sofia was admitted to Rady’s Children Hospital in San Diego. After more tests, doctors determined that Sofia had the autoimmune disease P ANCA Vasculitis. This was causing her end stage Renal Failure at only 11 years old. Sofia was required to undergo Hemodialysis and follow a severely strict diet for several months. Her family drove 50 miles each way, 3 times a week, for 6 months to attend Sofia’s 3 ½ hour long treatments. It was hard on the Rivera family physically, but it was painful for or them to watch their little angel be so strong during all of the tests and treatments. It took Sofia out of sports, out of school, and away from her friends and daily life of being a kid.

Thankfully, Sofia’s treatment was going well, so they transitioned to Hemodialysis once a week to help Sofia return to a semi-normal home life. She could now go to school and see her friends in a modified setting, but she still needed more medical care. Sofia needed a kidney transplant to save her life and would require a second one later down the road. The Rivera family was told by the UCLA transplant team that she would most likely be on the UNOS listing (the nation’s private non-profit organization that manages all organ transplants) for at least 2 years unless they could find a living donor. Immediately, Sergio submitted all the paperwork and endured all of the testing to see if he was a match for his baby girl. Sergio is a Firefighter, ready to save the lives of those he doesn’t know as a day job. He would stop at nothing to save the life of his little warrior princess, Sofia.

In April 2020, the family’s prayers were answered. Not only was Sergio a match for Sofia, but he was more than the required match percentage needed to donate one of his kidneys to his princess. Since this was Sofia’s first transplant, the higher percent match meant that there was a lower chance of her body’s rejection of the new kidney. Along with this good news, Sergio had just passed all of his testing to become an official San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Firefighter. 

Surgery was scheduled at UCLA’s Transplant Center in July 2020. Sofia and Sergio were expected to be in the hospital for a few weeks to monitor the healing process and make sure that Sofia’s body didn’t reject Sergio’s kidney. After that, they would need 6-8 more weeks to heal and recover, keeping Sergio out of work for an extended period of time. The Rivera’s knew that they would need some assistance from their fire family so that they could focus on the surgery and Sofie’s health. 

FirefighterAid quickly stepped in to help the newest members of our fire family. We assisted with a GoFundMe account that raised over the needed $15,000 goal, we helped to cover the cost of their accommodations for after the surgery and provided lots of love and support! And who was the #1 supporter of all this assistance?! It was YOU! 

Sergio and Sofia had a more than successful transplant surgery! Sofia’s kidney started producing urine before the anesthesia had even worn off. The specialist at UCLA said that it seemed as though Sergio grew the perfect organ his daughter needed. The amazing duo was so strong they only had to stay in the after-care facility for one week. 

When you have a person who is willing to risk their own life in exchange for someone else’s on the daily, it’s amazing to see what they can do when they know who they are risking their life for… especially their little girl. Sergio and Sofia are doing extremely well post-surgery! They’ve been getting right back to their active lifestyles by working out and hiking regularly. The Rivera family has asked us to pass on a message to you all as they are extremely thankful for all the support you have given them. 

RIVERA PRESS LINKS: 

7/28/2020 – Sergio and Sofia’s Transplant and Recovery

9/31/2020 – Sergio and Sofia Update
 

Categories
San Diego Fire Relief Association

Honoring Ryan Ferrara (1981-2020)

RYAN FERRARA  1981-2020

SDFD Engineer/Paramedic Ryan Ferrara answered his last alarm on July 18, 2020. Ryan spent more than 13 years on the job. His life was tragically cut short in an off-duty motorcycle accident. He was man who was always smiling and loved to be outdoors – riding motorcycles, surfing, and more. Ryan started working for the city in 2001 as a lifeguard and made the transition to become a Firefighter Paramedic in 2007.  

His family and friends hosted a livestream of a private ceremony to celebrate his life. Due to the state-mandated COVID-19 measures of 2020, the family was not able to host an in-person service. To honor Ryan, they hosted a livestream of the service from multiple social media outlets to allow for friends, family, and firefighter family to join.

After the private ceremony, there was an opportunity for friends and loved ones to share their support from within their vehicles by participating in an Honor Procession beginning on Quivira Way in Mission Bay. Personnel were on location to assist in the formation of the procession. Additionally, there was a sunset paddle out, a Station 21 tradition, in his honor.

The Ferrara Family truly appreciates your understanding and thanks you for all the love, support, and compassion. Ryan, may you rest easy now and let your fire family carry the load.

LINKS:

7/31/2020 – Ryan Ferrara’s Celebration of Life Private Service

Hundreds remember San Diego Firefighter killed in motorcycle crash

Friends Remember Fallen Firefighter

Categories
San Diego Fire Relief Association

Cadet Scholarship Fund Recipient Stories

The FirefighterAid Cadet Scholarship Fund (CSF) was created to provide financial aid for Fire Cadets who are making an impact in their community. This scholarship is a one-time award that benefits multiple Cadets. Cadets who have previously received an CSF may apply a second time, but may receive the award no more than two times.

Awarded amounts are determined every year based on number of applicants and at the discretion of FirefighterAid’s Board of Directors. The CSF is funded entirely by FirefighterAid and its donors. Donors can receive a tax benefit for making contributions to this fund. For information or questions please email Gabby Rockwell grockwell@sdfra.org

Congratulations to all of our Scholarship winners!

FIREFIGHTER, AND 2019 FIRE SCHOLAR RECIPIENT, RYAN LATNEY SHARES HOW THIS IMPACTED THEIR CAREER

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My name is Ryan Latney and I was a cadet for about 3 years before I got hired with San Diego fire rescue. I grew up in San Diego and took classes at both Miramar and Mesa college. Balancing school, working as a seasonal firefighter for the United States Forest Service and being a battalion chief for the cadets was not an easy task, especially affording all of the costs that comes with it: classes, gas, food, textbooks and more.

While I was in the process of getting hired with San Diego City, I was awarded the FirefighterAid Cadet Scholarship which helped me tremendously. I was able to pay everything I owed to schools as well as contribute some of the money to a new laptop to help me with my studies. The people working for FirefighterAid were nothing but kind and generous and allowed me to fulfill my lifelong dream of working as a firefighter for the city of San Diego.

This job means the world to me and being able to help people in need alongside my brothers and sisters is everything I’ve ever wanted and more. I can’t wait to see what else this job has to offer for me.

FIREFIGHTER, AND 2019 FIRE SCHOLAR RECIPIENT, BENJAMIN HERNANDEZ SHARES HOW THIS IMPACTED THEIR CAREER
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My name is Benjamin Hernandez, and I am proud to say I am a Firefighter for the City of San Diego Fire Rescue-Department. I graduated from Southwestern College with an associate degree in Fire Science Technology. While attending SWC, I worked part time and I joined the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Cadet Program. I successfully completed the 89th fire academy in 2020. I am very appreciative to those who have supported me through my career accomplishments.

Thank you to FirefighterAid for awarding me with the Cadet Scholarship. This scholarship helped me pay for my tuition at Miramar College when I was pursuing my Firefighter l certificate. Becoming a Firefighter for the City of San Diego is one of my greatest achievements. Making a positive impact and being a good role model for my community makes me feel accomplished on a daily basis.

FIREFIGHTER, AND 2016 FIRE SCHOLAR RECIPIENT, TRISTAN DE GUZMAN SHARES HOW THIS IMPACTED THEIR CAREER

My name is Tristan de Guzman. I have the privilege of being able to say that I am a new Firefighter for San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. I am embracing this new opportunity that allows me to serve the city that I know and love. Being a Firefighter brings a variety of challenges and ways to serve the communities and citizens of San Diego. It is a calling that allows me to be a light in someone’s darkest day. I love how this job allows me to be someone that others look to when they need help. The FirefighterAid Fire Scholars scholarships were a huge blessing to my success. Before the academy, I was a student at Point Loma Nazarene University studying Kinesiology. I was also a Cadet with San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. In addition, I was working part-time hours as an EMT on an ambulance. To say the least, I had my hands full. The scholarship helped me tremendously for my schooling and allowed me to focus solely on being a Firefighter. It was humbling to be a recipient of this scholarship and to have this organization supporting me every step of the way. I am grateful to have so many supporters and now I get to say I am living my dream everyday. I am extremely thankful to the FirefighterAid program’s assistance because they were a big contributor to making my dream a reality.

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So, keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”

– Steve Jobs

FIREFIGHTER, AND 2016 FIRE SCHOLAR RECIPIENT, SHANE SAKODA SHARES HOW THIS IMPACTED THEIR CAREER

My name is Shayne Sakoda; I am a new Firefighter for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. I believe that being a Firefighter means you should give back to those who are in need. I chose to be a Firefighter because I have a passion for helping my community and those who are in need. Before getting hired, I put in many hours and a lot of effort into becoming a Firefighter, especially as a San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Cadet.  The FirefighterAid Fire Scholars scholarship I received helped me tremendously. I probably wouldn’t be a Firefighter yet if it weren’t for the generosity of that scholarship. I wouldn’t have been able to take off work as much as I did, afford to pay for school, and put in my time as a Cadet doing ride-alongs, and volunteering within the community.  Many people helped me along the way to get to where I am now including friends, family, and mentors. FirefighterAid made a huge difference in my life and I greatly appreciate them!

“To do more for the world than the world does for you, that is success.” – Henry Ford

 
 
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR PAST RECIPIENTS

2020 Scholarship Winners: 

Noah Costa, Aaron Gutierrez, Nick La Rocca, John Marlow, Will Molenkamp, Jordan Poindexter

2019 Scholarship Winners: 

Miguel Acosta, Miguel Cervantes, Aaron Gutierrez, Benny Hernandez, Ryan Latney, Daniel Wilson

2018 Scholarship Winners: 

Chase Brown, Miguel Cervantes, Savien Gill, Ryan Pablo, Joseph Schottmiller, Alex Volk

2017 Scholarship Winners: 

Branden Sade, Chloe Cole, Daniel Warren, Erika Nilsson, Tyler Beatty, Xavier Bartig

2016 Scholarship Winners: 

Tristan De Guzman, Jared Creamer, Daniel Warren, Shayne Skoda, Hanna Wells, Luke Snyder

2015 Scholarship Winners: 

Tristan De Guzman, Blaise VandenBrulle, Carlee Carter, Lauren Vanderwalle, Megan Kinnaman

Categories
San Diego Fire Relief Association

Honoring Ryan Ferrara (1981-2020)

RYAN FERRARA  1981-2020

SDFD Engineer/Paramedic Ryan Ferrara answered his last alarm on July 18, 2020. Ryan spent more than 13 years on the job. His life was tragically cut short in an off-duty motorcycle accident. He was man who was always smiling and loved to be outdoors – riding motorcycles, surfing, and more. Ryan started working for the city in 2001 as a lifeguard and made the transition to become a Firefighter Paramedic in 2007.  

His family and friends hosted a livestream of a private ceremony to celebrate his life. Due to the state-mandated COVID-19 measures of 2020, the family was not able to host an in-person service. To honor Ryan, they hosted a livestream of the service from multiple social media outlets to allow for friends, family, and firefighter family to join.

After the private ceremony, there was an opportunity for friends and loved ones to share their support from within their vehicles by participating in an Honor Procession beginning on Quivira Way in Mission Bay. Personnel were on location to assist in the formation of the procession. Additionally, there was a sunset paddle out, a Station 21 tradition, in his honor.

The Ferrara Family truly appreciates your understanding and thanks you for all the love, support, and compassion. Ryan, may you rest easy now and let your fire family carry the load.

LINKS:

7/31/2020 – Ryan Ferrara’s Celebration of Life Private Service

Hundreds remember San Diego Firefighter killed in motorcycle crash

Friends Remember Fallen Firefighter

Categories
San Diego Fire Relief Association

Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month

FIREFIGHTER CANCER AWARENESS MONTH:​

January 2021 marked the start of a new year and a new, national initiative called Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. This digital movement shares ways to #FightFFCancer in stations across the country using educational resources from Firefighter Cancer Support Network and International Association of Fire Firefighters. Mixing their resources with our own, we spent the month sharing how fire stations can implement our Cancer Awareness and Prevention Program into their daily station life with the focus on the 3 C’s: Clean Air, Clean Gear, Clean Body.

We created a new CAPP video to share with the world that was featured at the top of the IAFF resources page! It featured some old faces and some new cancer warriors to highlight that this is an ongoing issue that will only get worse if we don’t step up and change Firefighter culture now. With nearly 1,000 views in the first few days of it’s launch, we know this video is encouraging Firefighters to fight occupational cancer by knowing their risks, getting regular examinations, and continuing to educate themselves on best practices.


Special thank you to MADE by J.Curtis for his help in producing a beautifully, impactful video to help in the fight against Firefighter cancer and for Local 145 and San Diego Fire-Rescue Department for supporting us during FFCAM. It was a perfect way to kick off the new year and share CAPP with stations nationwide!

FirefighterAid’s Cancer Awareness and Prevention Program is a double win for me. Personally, as a full-time firefighter, I have been able to learn about the simple, everyday actions that I can implement to make sure I am combating the ever-increasing presence of occupational cancer among firefighters. I have seen the impact our program has had on other firefighters and fire departments when they “buy-in” and adopt the program’s best practices and work towards safer work practices.
Our goal is to make sure that every firefighter in San Diego County has access to this program so they too can accomplish the ultimate goal, making it to retirement healthy so they can enjoy the fruits of their labor. 
– Brandt Truver, SDFD