When Redington-Fairview General Hospital EMS takes to the basketball court Sunday night against Skowhegan Fire Department, the crew will play pride and, more importantly, for Logan Bagley.
Pride, because the EMS staff lost to the fire department in both softball and basketball.
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But mainly they hope to raise money to benefit Bagley, a 17-year-old Dexter High School student and Harmony junior firefighter who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer that attacks the lymph nodes.
After the cancer was detected in early November, Bagley showed perseverance and resolve through his first two chemotherapy sessions, EMS officials said. The lymphoma is in metabolic remission, meaning doctors can’t detect any mature cancer cells, according to his father, Brian Bagley.
Treatment and care will continue at least for another seven years as doctors keep an eye on Bagley’s progress.
“From day one when we were told he had lymphoma, Logan’s mentality has been, âI’ve got it and I’ll fight through it and live on,'” Brian Bagley said. “He maintained an excellent mentality toward this all the way through.”
Logan Bagley, a member of the National Honor Society, has even improved grades in three of his four classes following the diagnosis and treatment.
Both of his parents are longtime members of Harmony Fire and Rescue.
“They say fire departments are brotherhoods, so it didn’t surprise me that Skowhegan was participating,” Brian Bagley said. “We’ve worked in EMS since 1985 and worked with Redington-Fairview a lot, so we’re close. We’re very happy with the participation.”
The Bagleys plan on attending the fundraiser, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Skowhegan Recreation Center.
While early detection and treatment have kept the disease in check, the numerous trips from Harmony to Portland for treatment and medical bills for out-of-state testing continues to pile up for the Bagley family.
“A biopsy reading from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston will cost us somewhere near $2,800. We do have bills that come in every day and we’re probably going to max out until we’re done,” Bagley said. “I told my son not to worry about it. We’ve been fortunate enough from the outpouring of support from families and town citizens.
“We’ve been doing EMS work for 29 years and someone said, âIt’s time for us to take care of you guys.”
Jesse Scardina — 861-9239jscardina@centralmaine.com Twitter: @jessescardina
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