Page 49 - December 2017

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The card way
4th District rallies to honor terminally ill child
n BY DAN CAMPANA
The heart-wrenching story of nine-year-old Jacob Thomp-
son struck a chord with members of the 4th District.
Last month, CNN featured the Maine boy’s battle with Stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma over the last four years. Thompson’s prognosis dimmed in October, when doctors
told his family he likely had a month to live.
Among the many ways that his family tried to make the
most of his final days, Thompson’s relatives were determined to bring him an early Christmas. To help in the celebration, Jacob asked for anyone who wanted to share in his holiday spirit to send him a Christmas card. Dozens of cards poured in from around the United States and around the world, from as far away as Australia.
That’s when 4th District CAPS Sergeant Edwin Ramirez and others in the district who saw the story decided to jump into action.
“I had UPS create a personalized three-foot Christmas
card with his favorite animal, penguins, displayed through- out the card,” Ramirez said. “Lt. Andre Hasan and I proceed- ed to begin relating the story of this courageous young man to officers and encouraging these officers to sign the Christ- mas card.”
It took only three days for the card to be filled with hand- written messages and holiday wishes from a multitude of the 4th District officers and personnel.
“Jacob, your strength and courage inspires and empowers us to be the best we can be,” read a large message in giant red-and-green lettering on one side of the card.
Ramirez mailed the card to the hospital in Maine on Nov. 17, and it arrived four days later. Unfortunately, Jacob suc- cumbed to his cancer on Nov. 19.
“Though the card arrived after his death, the 4th District officers hoped the Christmas card consoled the Thompson family during these trying times,” Ramirez said. d
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ DECEMBER 2017 49