Author: Kelly Days

Learn More: https://firefightercancer.net/ David Perez started his career as a firefighter and paramedic 15 years ago. He began woking for North Collier Fire because he knew that he was born to serve the community.  David has been known by his colleagues as a firefighter firefighter. The kind of guy who is always there to support his fellow brother with just about anything. In fact David is one of a few firefighters in his department who came together to form a program dedicated to helping his fellow firefighters going through PTSD. In 2020 David received the Firefighter of the year award from his department. Most importantly David is a husband and father to 8 year old Evangelina and 5 year old Robert.  In January of 2020 David had his yearly checkup. Upon receiving his labs his primary care physician referred him to a hematologist because his levels were off. The hematologist took one look at him and told him that it is most likely just genetic anemia and not to worry too much but that further studies would be needed. By now David was feeling fatigued and began experiencing headaches and nosebleeds. To everyones surprise after a bone marrow biopsy David was given the news that he has IGM Multiple Myeloma and B cell Lymphoma. MM Is an incurable blood cancer which usually affects men over the age of 70.  Though Multiple Myeloma is currently incurable, treatments are advancing each and every day. David has been having weekly infusions of chemotherapy drugs at the Sylvester center in Miami for the past year. He also takes daily oral chemotherapy medications. At the moment the chemo seems to be bringing his numbers down to a manageable level which is the best that can be hoped for until more curative therapies are available.