Collier firefighters give toddler cancer patient a Christmas to remember

NAPLES, Fla. – Damian Creed, 3, had a Christmas to remember this year.

North Collier Fire Rescue welcomed his brother Ryan home, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, and made Damian fire chief for the day.

“I knew they were going to honor my oldest son Ryan for returning home and being active duty, but I didn’t imagine everything else,” said their mother, Sarah Hancock.

Damian has retinoblastoma, a rare cancer, and hasn’t been able to do much of what a typical toddler does.

“We don’t know if this is his last Christmas,” Sarah said. “His prognosis is not good.”

Harley Davidson and North Collier Fire Rescue stepped up to provide the new chief lots of gifts for the day.

“He got to ride in an antique fire truck,” said Hancock. “We just got escorted to his house in the firetruck. He got to spray water.”

Damian’s parents said the kind gestures mean everything to them.

“I’ve always said I understand the true meaning of Christmas, [but] this year has really been about family and about him,” said Hancock.

Damian will begin chemotherapy January 11.