Reprint from the Progress Times - September 12, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

 

Mission fire fighter battles cancer

 

By David Rodriguez

Fire fighting is a brotherhood. Each and every fire fighter is taught to look out for each other. Sometimes it’s more than a blaze that compels them to help each other.

Three-year veteran fire fighter Ignacio “Nacho” Cantu was diagnosed with stomach cancer in February of 2007. After battling it into remission, over the past few months the cancer has spread and he is now being diagnosed with skin cancer.

The Mission Fire Department has rallied around the husband and father of three. In a show of solidarity many of the fire fighters have shaved their heads for Nacho who has lost his hair due to chemotherapy.

  The fire fighters have also pooled and donated their cumulative sick leave.

“We’ve gathered around 2,100 hours of paid sick leave specifically for him,” said Mike Silva, Fire fighter Union President. “That gives him about a year to be out of work. If we need to extend it we’ll be donating more sick leave.”

The department is also setting up an account at First National Bank where anyone who would like to help in any way can donate funds. The Fire Department would like the public to be aware that any help would be greatly appreciate not only by the department but the Cantu family as well.

Checks may be made payable to Ignacio Cantu and deposited in First National account number 151063702 at any First National Bank branch.

Anyone who would like more information on how they can help is encouraged to visit the fire department on 415 West Tom Landry or contact Liz Garcia at First National Bank in Mission, telephone 519-5986.