Young Boys Suffering From Cancer Named Honorary FDNY Firefighters

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York's Bravest just got two new members.

As CBS2's Emily Smith reported, a 3-year-old and a 4-year-old became honorary members of the FDNY, as they placed their hands on the Bible for an official ceremony.

At 19 months old, doctors diagnosed Trucker Dukes, now 3, with Stage 4 neuroblastoma, a cancer in the adrenal glands that caused him and his mother to move temporarily from Maui to New York City for treatment.

"We just thought he was just a really fussy teether," said Trucker's mother, Shauna Dukes, "and so by the time we saw his cancer, it had metastasized to Stage 4, which meant it was basically all over."

Trucker's love for all things firefighter-related nearly began at birth. But his love for the FDNY began while at the Ronald McDonald House, when Trucker met Capt. Jim Grismer – who was on a call for a minor kitchen fire.

"I see this little boy walking at me with his eyes aglow and his arms outreached," Grismer said, "and he jumped right on me and gave me a hug."

When FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro heard about the bond, he invited the family to become lifetime FDNY family members.

Trucker has a fellow friend on duty – River Laurence, 4. He too is receiving treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for Stage 4 neuroblastoma.

Another chance encounter led River also to become an honorary member of the FDNY.

"It just kind of happened, I don't know what it is," said River's mother, Jocelyn Laurence. "We never really talked to him about firefighters before. He just kind of fell in love with the guys at home – and here too."

The firefighters even visit the boys at the hospital, and recently threw Trucker his 3rd birthday party.

"People tell me all the time that I'm strong, and most times, I feel like my head's ust floating above the water," Shauna Dukes said.

She said you do not know how strong you are until you have to be, but the real strength and bravery lies in the two little boys.

"They are braver than we are in many ways," said FDNY Firefighter Francisco Ruiz.

"We like to think that someday, we're going to be visiting him at his firehouse," Grismer said.

Doctors said River has a tumor that likely will not go away. Trucker still has a fight ahead of him.

The boys are welcome at any FDNY firehouse at any time.