Local 20 Member Donates Time and Resources to Help Local Teen in Ongoing Cancer Battle
July 21, 2010
Local R2-20 member Bill Rothschild, a paramedic with Empress Ambulance of Yonkers, New York, quickly sprung to action after learning about a local teen’s continued struggles in her battle against cancer.
While participating in a college program in Spain, 19-year old Hanna Monte developed abdominal pain. After doctors couldn’t pin down the problem, Hannah was eventually diagnosed with colon cancer. Efforts were taken to help Hannah during her treatments in Spain, but an Icelandic volcano eruption caused her return to United States to be significantly delayed.
During this time, Hannah’s treatments were covered by her school’s health insurance plan. Upon finally making the trip back to New York, Hannah began chemotherapy treatments at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. Unfortunately, Hannah soon learned that because she had been out of classes for an extended period of time, her health insurance had been cancelled.
Once chemotherapy treatments had begun, Hannah was cleared to be transferred to a small local hospital that was closer to her hometown and her parents. Her family, however, was already having trouble paying for the high cost of her medical treatments and was unsure if they could afford the costly transfer.
Upon learning of Hannah’s plight, Bill immediately began thinking of ways to help. At first, Bill received permission from his local volunteer fire department to transfer Hannah, but the ambulance was not equipped with the advanced life support systems (ALS) required. After speaking with management at Empress Ambulance, Bill quickly learned they were willing to help in any way they could.
“I was originally going to get the ALS gear on loan from Empress and use the fire department’s ambulance,” said Rothschild. “After the date of the transfer changed to a time I was scheduled to work at Empress, management worked with me to come up with the best solution.”
Management at Empress Ambulance provided Hannah with a bill-free transfer using the ambulance Bill would be working on during his regular shift.
Hannah was successfully transferred to a hospital closer to her family at no cost, but Bill wasn’t done helping.
“My boss donated the call, but since he insisted I get paid for the work I felt I hadn't really donated anything personally, said Rothschild. “I am going to donate three hours worth of pay, about $100, to the family.”
A flyer for an upcoming fundraiser for the Monte family can be viewed here.