Crime & Safety

Burlington Firefighters Use Parade to Make Young Boy's Dream Come True

Billerica resident Dougie Davis, 5, was given the chance to help lead the Burlington Fourth of July parade as he continues to fight an inoperable brain tumor.

Billerica resident Dougie Davis has wanted to be a firefighter for the entirety of his short five year existence. Thanks to members of the Burlington Fire Department, that dream came true on the Fourth of July.

Firefighters helped arranged a visit for Dougie to let him meet the firefighters, try on his own gear, and ride with them in the Burlington Fourth of July parade.

MyFoxBoston.com reported that the five-year-old was diagnosed with a brain tumor in November, and doctors were unable to remove it. Instead, he will begin chemotherapy in December that will likely last through March.

The news station reported that since he was born, Dougie has been fascinated with fire trucks. So Friday was a dream come true for him.

"He's just in complete shock. He loves it," said Dougie's father, Rich, according to MyFoxBoston.com. "We're never going to get that coat off of him."

CBS Boston also reported on Dougie's trip with the Burlington Fire Department. The news station said that Dougie's parents detected potential health problems in Dougie several years ago, but did not believe the behavioral or bipolar diagnoses they were initially given before the tumor was discovered.

Dougie's mom told CBS Boston that the young fire recruit has good days and bad, but Friday was definitely a good one.

"I think it means everything," Angela Whalen Davis told CBS Boston.

Residents interested in helping the family can visit the Douglas Davis Fund online fundraising page, or mail donations to the address below.

Douglas Davis Fund
PO Box 2523
Woburn, MA 01888

As of Saturday morning, a total of $2,522 has been raised through the YouCaring.com website to help the family pay for Dougie's treatment.


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