Recently, in front of a cancer research and treatment center in Orange County, California, more than fifty uniformed firefighters formed a long line to give an unexpected surprise to their colleague who was about to undergo his final chemotherapy.
On June 20, firefighters from various locations in Southern California, including Corona Fire Department and Orange City Fire Department, gathered outside the City of Hope Orange County in Orange County for a special “clap” ceremony for Brandon Willson, the captain of the Corona Fire Brigade. Willson has been battling blood cancer for the past six months.
A video posted on the City of Hope Orange County’s Facebook page showed firefighters holding carefully prepared colorful balloons and signs of encouragement for Willson, creating a joyful and celebratory atmosphere filled with laughter and applause.
One sign read: “Congratulations Brandon!” Another one said: “Hope is the first.”
Witnesses on the scene saw Captain Willson being moved to tears as he stepped out of the car. Colleagues and family members greeted and expressed their care for him, after which he walked into the hospital accompanied by his two sons, Luke, aged 9, and Gavin, aged 7, and his wife, Amber.
Annette Walker, the president of City of Hope Orange County, told Epoch Times, “On Brandon’s special day of receiving his final chemotherapy, you could see and feel the vitality and excitement permeating the cancer center.”
At 42 years old, Willson has been working for the Corona Fire Department for over 17 years, earning the love and respect of residents in Corona and other communities.
In January this year, Captain Willson was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a highly treatable malignant tumor. He then received treatment at the Lennar Foundation Cancer Center in Irvine, Orange County, designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a cancer center.
Willson expressed, “Every healthcare professional we encountered throughout the treatment process has been amazing, caring, and very respectful towards me.”
President Walker stated that City of Hope Orange County believes celebrating the successful battle of cancer patients and cheering them on is crucial, so the center’s staff, together with Willson’s wife and Corona Fire Department Chief Eric Estes, closely collaborated to organize this milestone celebration for Captain Willson.
For Dr. Tanya Siddiqi, a renowned hematologist specializing in blood cancers at City of Hope Orange County, witnessing her patient completing the final chemotherapy and achieving relief is “always a very special moment.”
“If patients do not have support from their loved ones, friends, and colleagues, they may feel lonely and helpless during the long treatment process,” Siddiqi said. “Clearly, Willson has received immense support.”
“As Brandon Willson’s doctor, hearing that his colleagues were happily planning this surprise event touched me deeply.”
It is worth noting that this inspirational celebration coincided with June, the National Cancer Survivors Month in the United States. City of Hope Orange County hopes that Willson’s experience will bring hope and encouragement to others who are battling cancer.
“Captain Willson is young and strong, and we hope to see him back at Corona Fire Department soon, continuing his lifesaving mission,” Dr. Siddiqi stated.