Blood drive to assist 9/11 rescuer
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A stem cell transplant saved him once. Now Roy Chelsen's family members are hoping it will save him again.
On Saturday, Chelsen's relatives will stage a blood and bone marrow drive in hopes of saving the life of someone who has helped so many others survive.
Chelsen, a Dongan Hills native and retired firefighter, has multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, which he developed following his rescue efforts during 9/11.
He went through months of painful chemotherapy treatments but it was only after he received a stem cell transplant that his health improved.
Chelsen, who relocated to Warwick in Orange County, is credited with saving the lives of other firefighters and many civilians during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. He was in the staircase on the 30th floor of Tower 1 when that building collapsed and raced down the stairs, rescuing people along the way. Then, he and his fellow firefighters found themselves inching along the wall in the lobby of the building, unsure of what to do. Should they stay where they were or make a break for the exit?
His instincts told him to get out of there and everyone followed. Later, they learned they were among the last few people to get out alive.
Chelsen returned to Ground Zero in the weeks following to assist in the rescue effort.
Years later, he is one of thousands of rescue workers who say they have suffered from illnesses as a result of 9/11.
In April 2007, doctors announced that his cancer was in remission and Chelsen began regaining his strength, spending time with relatives and playing golf and softball. But the relief his family felt was short-lived. This summer, they were given the devastating news that the cancer had returned.
Chelsen's health has been deteriorating and his family is staging the blood and bone marrow drive Saturday in hopes of finding a match for another transplant.
A drive last week in Warwick drew more than 300 people and Chelsen's sister, Joan, said she is hoping to see a similar turnout on Staten Island.
"That number is just astounding," she said. "He's been very upbeat with all the response."
Saturday's drive will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Watchogue Road in Willowbrook from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is being organized by the New York Blood Center.
For more information about donating blood and bone marrow, log on to www.marrow.org or www.nybloodcenter.org. High school students who donate or encourage others to donate may be eligible for community service credits through www.where-to-turn.org.