By FireRescue1 Staff
BRYAN, Texas — For the third time, a firefighter will battle brain cancer.
Rayse Richardson was first diagnosed with brain cancer when he was 21. He said he knew the cancer would return, but wasn’t sure when. Richardson had only a part of the tumor removed to avoid paralysis.
“They could’ve gotten 100 percent of it out, but I would be guaranteed paralyzed and I was 21, I didn’t want to take that risk,” Richardson told KBTX.
In 2011, the tumor returned; he was in chemotherapy for 13 months.
Since then, Richardson has lived out his passion as serving as a firefighter. He was been with the Bryan Fire Department for a year, and said the support from his colleagues has been overwhelming.
“I’ve always wanted to be a fireman for as long as I can remember,” Richardson said. “Here is a great place to work. Everyone’s really understanding.”
A GoFundMe account has raised over $7,000 for Richardson’s medical costs. Colleagues of Richardson said they have been taking some of his shifts to minimize the amount of sick leave he must take.
“Our members aren’t just members. They’re our brothers, family. They’re guys we risk our lives for,” Trevor LaRoche, vice president of the Bryan Firefighters Association, said.