New Hampshire firefighter who died of cancer described as ‘true warrior’
Kyle Jameson never expected to hear the phrase “you have cancer” when he went in for a routine doctor’s appointment—but, unfortunately, that’s exactly what the 32-year-old firefighter heard last April.
The Hampton, New Hampshire, firefighter and paramedic was diagnosed with lymphoma only a few months before his wife, Christine, would give birth to their son, Liam. He went into remission last July, but, later that year, his cancer returned and he discovered he needed a bone marrow transplant, according to the Team Jameson Fights T-PLL Facebook page.
Jameson died at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City Sunday from a complication from the transplant, his wife announced on Facebook in an emotional tribute.
I didn’t get my miracle.
I did get to experience true love, which is somewhat of a miracle in and of itself. For that I will be forever grateful.
The Hampton Fire Department also released a statement remembering Jameson.
“Kyle waged an epic battle against insurmountable odds and did so with grace and class, as a true Warrior,” the department wrote on its website. “We are deeply saddened by his loss, but we have been made infinitely better by having had the chance to know such a wonderful human being. His humor and his generosity of spirit will light our lives forever.”
Before his death, Jameson appeared in a video created with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. In the video, Jameson says doctors told him his job may have accelerated his type of cancer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FME-QrMlrBs&feature=youtu.be
Jameson speaks of his family of fellow firefighters in the video who joined him on his trips to doctor appointments, including those in New York City. He said he hoped his story would help to raise health awareness and support for his second family, the state’s firefighters.
“A small department is still just as susceptible,” he said. “The fires are the same, they don’t burn any differently than anywhere else.”
The Ed Kennedy Foundation also shared Jameson’s story in a post to Facebook Sunday, echoing the firefighter’s call for firefighters to take all precautions necessary in order to protect themselves from the carcinogens they’re exposed to on the job.
“For other departments and Fire Fighters outside the City, I hope you’ll watch the video at the link below and hear Kyle tell you how important cleaning your gear is,” the foundation wrote.
A fundraising page through the Hampton Firefighter Cancer Fund has been set up to raise money for Jameson’s wife and son. Funeral plans have not yet been announced.
Kyle Jameson and his son, Liam.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com