In order to make friends, you must be friendly.” A quote from American writer Dale Carnegie and a philosophy that Firefighter Henry Munoz of Fire Station 107 has been able to seamlessly apply to his own way of life – and I can tell you it works. When you first meet Henry, you can’t help but like him. He has a quiet ease about him that makes everyone like him, and for Henry this is a good thing. Now more than ever he will need his friends and family. The reason is one that is becoming all too common among the ranks of today’s firefighters: cancer.
In March of 2018 doctors discovered a large tumor deep within Henry’s brain, and he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It all began with a headache, a severe one, but still just that and no more, thought Henry. He and his family still ventured out to have some fun and participate in the annual Hook and Ladder Enduro to benefit the WODFF. Henry did his best to enjoy the long weekend, but life had other plans for him. By the third day of the event, something was wrong, and his friends and family could sense it. Checked out by the camp medic and doctor, it was determined that Henry needed further medical care. FF/PM Dave Finger, Henry’s co-worker, stepped up and, along with Henry’s wife, drove his friend to the closest fire station. He was quickly transferred to an ambulance and taken to a nearby hospital. There he was examined, and a scan confirmed a tumor.
This is not the end of the story though. Other plans were already in motion to get him the best care possible with a phone call to the Relief Association and a series of quick decisions, Henry was transferred to USC to receive treatment by the country’s top doctors.
The help didn’t stop there. Henry’s friends knew he would need additional support, both emotionally and financially. That’s when fate stepped in. While FF/PM Vic Villa, another one of Henry’s friends, was out celebrating his wife’s birthday at the Canyon Club in Santa Clarita, one of the hostesses inquired if he needed anything else. She also mentioned additional facts about the venue and that if they ever had a need for future events, the Canyon Club was the place. That’s when the real work started. With the help of his wife, Deanna, Vic called on other friends to help put something together for Henry. Out of his own pocket, Vic put up the money to purchase 500 t-shirts that were beautifully designed by Dave Finger’s wife, Rachel. Other members stepped up to help too, going station to station selling the t-shirts and gathering donations. The response was phenomenal. They ended up selling all 500 shirts and collecting thousands in donations. FF/PM Villa stated he couldn’t believe the generosity of the members. He also couldn’t believe the care and assistance he received from the employees of the Canyon Club in setting up the fundraising event benefiting Henry and the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
On June 10, 2018, more than 350 people gathered at the Canyon Club in support of Henry and the Relief Association. They were firefighters, friends, family, and ordinary citizens who, up until recently, had no idea who Henry was. They know who he is now. They have come to know him through the speeches made, the embrace of friendship shown, and the overwhelming outpouring of support from all who were in attendance. A buffet lunch was served, and cold drinks were in abundance as the crowd of well-wishers enjoyed lunch as they listened to great music provided by the band The Brandon Ragan Project. The Fire Hogs were there to show their support, along with Jason Knight of Fire Axe, Inc., who donated several of his axes for the raffle held. Even local County firefighters showed up in force to show their support.
Henry and his family, along with the Relief Association, would like to say thank you to all involved–especially people like Vic and Deanna Villa, Dave and Rachel Finger, Suey and Kong Tiengerd, Tim Baker, Jason Knight, Kevin Nagel, and the list goes on and on. This also includes the entire staff at the Canyon Club who made this fundraiser an overwhelming success for Henry and the WODFF.