PORT TOWNSEND — On the morning of Aug. 20, 2004, Paul and Christie Hensley took their 10-year old son, Gabe, who was complaining of pain and shortness of breath, to Jefferson Healthcare hospital.
Eight hours later, Gabe was receiving chemotherapy at Children’s Hospital in Seattle for a plate-sized tumor pressing on his heart.
This Friday, Gabe will represent all cancer survivors by taking another ride — in the front seat of a bright-red fire engine, sirens blaring, down Water Street.
The short journey kicks off the 2005 Jefferson County Relay for Life, a fundraiser for research into ways to help people fight cancer like Gabe has done this past year.
“He’s tough,” Paul says.
“He’s a survivor.”
It also benefits patient support programs for people whose lives are turned upside down by the disease.
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THE PORT TOWNSEND Fire Department kicks off the Jefferson County Relay for Life on Friday with a procession down Water Street, starting at Point Hudson, about 5 p.m.
Cancer survivor Gabe Hensley, 11, will ride in a fire engine, with firefighters walking alongside collecting money in their boots for their Relay of Life team.
Other children who have survived cancer are welcome to ride on the fire engine. Call April at the Port Townsend Fire Department at 360-385-2626.
The 24-hour Relay for Life is a benefit for the American Cancer Society, with teams walking the Blue Heron Middle School track from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday. The school is at 3939 San Juan Ave., Port Townsend.
For more information, call Roberta Scott at 360-344-4909.
