Pueblo Rural Fire District helps cancer patient’s wish come true

Every 5-year-old boy has his favorite hobby. For Christopher Young, it’s firefighting.

“He’s definitely into firetrucks and firefighting,” said Christopher Young, his dad.

For Christopher, firefighting is a way to help him fight through his brain tumor.

Dad: “You got a joke for me?”
Christopher: “Why did the dog drive a firetruck?”
Dad: “Why?”
Christopher: “Because it was on fire.”

Christopher is under the care of Sangre de Cristo Hospice and Palliative Care. His one wish was to ride in a firetruck.

His family moved from Florida to Pueblo to treat his brain tumor.

“It affects everything. His left side of his body he’s partially paralyzed in his left hand and left leg,” said Young.

When the Pueblo Rural Fire District heard about Christopher’s wish, not only did they let him inside the truck but they gave him his own fire chief hat and jacket and lunch with the department.

“We just jumped at the chance to do something like this. We thought this was a great opportunity to bring a smile to this young man’s face,” said Grant Genova with the Pueblo Rural Fire Department.

The family says there are no lifesaving treatment options for Christopher, but they are remaining optimistic and focusing on their time together.

“I always thought he would be doing big things and I still have that faith,” said Young.

Sangre De Cristo Hospice works with patients of all ages to help make their wishes come true.