Godfrey firefighter who served selflessly fighting cancer — benefit Oct. 13
"I've been off work since February when I started the chemotherapy treatments," said Assistant Chief
Once the treatments are over at the
"I still have a ways to go, but I never can go back as a firefighter," he said.
Until then, he goes back and forth for tests and other treatments -- sometimes hospitalized for days -- at
Relatives and friends tried for some time to get McBride to agree to a fundraiser to help him pay bills that his health insurance does not cover, along with mounting, everyday living expenses. "I fought having a benefit for a long time until they held an intervention," he said. "I'm not one who looks for help."
He said he reluctantly allowed his family and friends to plan a benefit auction and dinner with five bands providing live music from
All proceeds from the beer sales will go to McBride.
Admission is free for those wanting to participate in the 50/50 drawing, raffle, bake sale, silent and live auctions and music from Acustica, Power Trip, Wild Knights, Smokin' Oldies and Whiskey Bent. There also will be door prizes.
"Since Day 1, he has served this community selflessly, I just hope the community in turn can take care of him," said Chief
McBride's sister,
Chappelear said she would appreciate donations of gift baskets, gift cards,
Of note, the biggest auction donation so far is use of a couple's boat for a daytrip-party cruise up the
"Anybody and everybody is welcome," Chappelear said.
McBride said he hopes he feels well enough to attend the benefit and see his friends and fellow firefighters.
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"Both professionally and personally, you couldn't ask for a better person or firefighter than
McBride is on a leave under provisions of the Illinois Public Employee Disability Act, which provides disability payments for one year. "We are looking out for his health, hopefully he can beat this and return to some sense of normalcy," Kambarian said.
McBride said he greatly misses his fellow
"I miss the guys at the station a lot," he said. "I also miss doing the job, helping the general public. I'm used to helping the general public, not the public helping me."
There also is a gofundme.com page (https://www.gofundme.com/ed-mcbride-cancer-fight) established
McBride and his wife Becky have two grown daughters, Chelsie, 28, and Becca, 21.
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