Benefit For Firefighter Battling Cancer

When a “firehouse brother,” who's fighting cancer, ran out of sick days and started losing income, East Haven firefighter Joe Ciscone jumped in.

"Me and Joe go back about 32 years. We were volunteer firefighters together," Ciscone said about Joe Lauria.

Lauria was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer five months ago and has since exhausted all his sick time while his medical bills mount. He’s about to go for another round of chemo, which he said zaps his energy and makes it hard to do his job as a machinist for Metro North Railroad.

So Ciscone is organizing a ziti fundraiser for his buddy on March 16 at the Foxon Firehouse hall.

"He’s a great guy. Great father. Great husband," he said.

Lauria was not short on gratitude. "My firehouse brothers are going way beyond. Those guys have been out of this world," said Lauria, 54. "Joey's (Ciscone) been there for me and vice versa."

For instance, when Ciscone was a fire explorer in high school, the much-older Lauria said he’d drive him around in a rescue truck. Lauria’s been with Volunteer Co. 1 since 1979.

His tumor was originally the size of “a softball,” he said, and his first bout of chemo shrunk it "considerably."

But chemo is hard on the body and some days he can’t work. “It's knocking the heck out of me. I'm very, very tired, cold. I'm laying on my couch with a blanket over me," said Lauria.

After he used up his sick days, he said the guys he works with down at the railroad donated some of their sick time to him. But Lauria said his income has dropped because of missed days and needs help with medical costs.

Lauria lauded his fellow firefighters for more than the upcoming benefit. He said right before the cancer diagnosis, he suddenly got quite sick at home -- vomiting and dangerously low blood sugar – and his brothers rushed to the scene.

 "I'm very glad I'm an East Haven resident knowing that we have such a phenomenal fire service," he said.

The March 16 fundraiser at the Foxon Firehouse Hall runs from 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.; ziti, soda, 50/50 raffle; $20/adults, $10/kids under 10. For more info, contact Joe Ciscone, 203.500.9648; Marty Lendroth, 203.410.9791; Ray Kline, 203.654.5193; or Bob Deko, 203.467.3313.