ROCKWALL, TX (Aug. 2, 2024) They don’t know each other—yet. On the surface, their stories are vastly different, but are they? Three people linked in service… and now in crisis. This year the Rockwall Professional Firefighters Association will host their Firefighters’ Ball in honor of three recipients. It’s a little unusual for them, as there has historically been one recipient for this event, but this year, choosing three seemed like the right thing to do.
Another thing each of this year’s honorees has in common is that their symptoms came on without warning. Each was healthy and had no reason to suspect otherwise. That’s certainly the case with James Bobbitt of the Flower Mound Fire Department. In the last year, he’s been in both the best and worst shape of his life. Eyeing his 15-year dream job of SWAT medic—he dropped about 50 pounds, found his six-pack abs…and got the job!
Shortly thereafter, though, while “not feeling right,” and suspecting a myocardial infarction, he received news he never remotely suspected—Stage 4 esophageal cancer. James has been undergoing aggressive treatments to fight back, and more than anything, he is relying on his wife and five teenagers as well as his faith to get him through this crisis.
No stranger to adversity, Lauren Powers, of the Forney Fire Department, certainly lives up to her name with all she has overcome, most significantly in the last year. At 35 years old, she certainly never expected to find a lump in her breast, and learn it was hormone driven, Stage 2A breast cancer. Lauren began aggressive treatment that continues with surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and more surgeries to come. Crediting God and her family for leading her on every day, she’s more worried about her two teenagers—who are having a hard time with her cancer battle. The two lost their biological father about six years ago, and are devastated about the potential that their mom could lose her fight. Lauren assures them—to her, losing is not even an option.
Ayden Ortiz is like any other active 14-year-old boy, playing all sports, but it’s his favorite, baseball, that may well have saved his life. During a regular game in May, Ayden made it to second, where he collided with the baseman. Later that night, Ayden complained of a migraine, and started a bout of uncontrollable vomiting. Worried mama and dad Juan, a firefighter medic for the Celina Fire Department, watched the situation closely with increasing concern, until it was time to take their son straight to Children’s Medical Center for a CT scan. Ayden is a kid who never gets sick, so the diagnosis of a head bleed—not caused by the mid-game collision, but by a pre-existing arteriovenous malformation (AVM)—took them all by surprise. By June, the family had opted for surgery to remove the AVM, and today, Ayden has been cleared to go back to sports, with only a few follow-up doctor visits to monitor progress and ensure no regrowth—a happy ending to be certain.
“We are honored to be able to host this important event again this year,” said Michael Caffey, RPFA President. “Every year the stories of these firefighters and their families really get to you. There’s a lot of need out there. In the fire service, this is what we do—we help people in need.”
As can be expected, all three of these surprise patients have been hit with astronomical medical bills since January.
The RPFA’s goal is to help ease the burden of at least that one concern for each family. The proceeds raised from the 2024 Rockwall Firefighter’s Ball will be split between the three recipients. To learn how you can make a difference in the lives of these firefighters and their families, visit rockwallfirefighters.org.
CLICK HERE FOR FIREFIGHTERS BALL TICKETS
Submitted press release, RPFA.
When Worlds Collide—Rockwall Firefighters’ Ball to honor three recipients added by Editor on
View all posts by Editor →