Big Al Fundraiser

[DotheDew]

Just a reminder to all that this friday at Nanny O'briens on Conn Ave NW we are hosting a fundraising event for Big Al Dutton (BFC 5 #3). Please bring everyone that you come across with you. The CP Society is working on securing enough free parking to accomodate everyone. The BBQ team will be there, there will be raffles, and an auction not to mention all the beer you can imagine. For additional information contact FF Shawn Downs at T 14 #2, FF Ryan Fischer at E 21 #2, FF Geoff Davis at E 11 #4, or Capt Tosciotti at E 28 #3. Hope to see you all there for this great cause.

Shawn

[dcfdsid]

NW Community Helps Cancer-stricken Fire Chief posted 4:07 pm Thu November 13, 2008 - WASHINGTON from ABC 7 News - http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1108/569717.htmlD.C. Firefighters and a Northwest community are coming together to help a veteran firefighter as he battles cancer.

Battalion Fire Chief Alan Dutton is in the business of saving lives, but these days he's in a fight for his own life as the 30-year veteran of the force battles a rare form of cancer.

"My Plan A is that we're going to go to Boston and the drug is going to kill this thing and I'm going to go back to work," said Chief Dutton, who added that he is "not making a Plan B."

Boston is where Dutton is receiving experimental treatment for mucosal melanoma. He'll have to make 12 trips there over the next year, paying for each trip out of his own pocket, which is why the community and its fire department are raising money to help with the costs.

In fact, his fellow firefighters and the Cleveland Park community, where he served for nearly a decade, are holding a fundraiser Friday night.

We spend a lot of time with one another and when one of us is sick, it's just like someone in your family is sick," said D.C. Fire and EMS Captain Mark Tasciotti. "You do whatever you can to help them out."

Meanwhile, Dutton says he is embarrassed and humbled by the outpouring of support.

"It is a brotherhood and the guys come out from the woodwork when anyone needs help and they've really done more than I would ever have expected and I don't know how I'm going to repay them," said the chief.

Organizers are hopeful more than 200 people will attend Friday's event and help raise hundreds of dollars to help a friend and mentor deal with one of the biggest challenges of his life.

[DotheDew]

Sid thanks for putting that on here. Yeah that was pretty cool that channel 7 got involved as well. Just a quick note, I know that this is kind of a "duh" statement, but to anyone that is planning on coming please plan to carpool or utilize Metro as parking is terrible up there. Hope to see all of you there.

Shawn

[FF287]

Some of us from other departments know Al and can't make it to the fundraiser. Can you post where donations can be sent.

[Engine]

You can mail the donations to:

Al Dutton Fundraiser
1 Providence Sq.
Sterling, Virginia 20164

You can make checks out to him.

Many Thanks,

Geoff Davis

[DotheDew]

A HUGE THANK YOU to all of those that came out last night. We were able to raise a good amount and quite a bit of leave to assist Chief Dutton with his treatment. Again I can not thank you all enough, you guys and gals made this happen. A special thanks to Geoff Davis, Ryan Fischer, Mark Tosciotti, DAWG and the Dawg pound BBQ team, and all of the others that made this possible. Thanks again everyone!!