Tim Eckert - Unwavering Determination
Tim Eckert knew he wanted to be a firefighter from a young age. His father, Ronald, an assistant fire chief in Sugar Creek, Ohio, inspired Tim to become a volunteer firefighter in his hometown when he was just 18 years old. Tim moved to the Sandusky area in 2002 to accept a job as a firefighter at Cedar Point. A year later, he joined the Sandusky Fire Department (SFD), a job he held for the next 20 years.
As a long-time firefighter, Tim knew he was at a higher risk for cancer because of his occupation. “Multiple studies have shown that firefighters are at an increased risk for cancer due to the smoke and hazardous chemicals we’re exposed to on the job. I knew about the risks, but I didn’t think it would happen to me,” says Tim.
That all changed in June of 2022 when Tim noticed a bulge on his abdomen while exercising. “I had also been feeling very nauseous, so I decided to make an appointment with my primary care doctor, Dr. Brian Baxter. After undergoing a CT scan, Dr. Baxter called me at the fire station and told me to go to the hospital immediately. The CT scan revealed a mass in my abdomen, and I needed additional tests.”
Those tests revealed that the fifty-four-year-old Perkins Township resident was suffering from stage IV mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. “It’s an incurable type of lymphoma, but I’m going to fight and beat it. I’m going to be the first person to be cured,” says Tim, with unwavering determination.
Tim, whose physician is oncologist Timothy Adamowicz, DO of University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center, has undergone extensive IV chemotherapy and is now on an oral chemotherapy regimen. Depending on the success of his current treatment, Tim can also consider CAR-T, an immunotherapy program that uses the patient’s own immune cells to fight cancer. “I’ve been fortunate regarding side effects. I do suffer a bit from fatigue, but I deal with that by working out every day. I have no symptoms of cancer. The only way I know I’m sick is because the doctors tell me I am,” laughs Tim.
In addition to his faith in his physicians and the other healthcare providers at Firelands, Tim credits the incredible support he has received from his fellow firefighters in dealing with his illness. Whenever he came to Firelands for IV chemotherapy, members of the SFD would gather at the hospital parking lot before his appointments in a show of encouragement and solidarity. “The first day of my treatment, we drove into the hospital parking lot and saw all the fire trucks. I couldn’t figure out what they were doing here. Then I realized they were here for me, which was so cool,” he remembers.
The SFD is also selling t-shirts with a unique logo in support of Tim to provide funds for his medical expenses. People from 40 states have bought t-shirts on Tim’s behalf. Tim and his wife, Heather, will donate any of the money raised that is not needed for his expenses to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.
During his illness, Tim has relied on his close relationship with his immediate and extended family. He and his wife Heather have three children and four grandchildren (with another on the way), all of whom are a source of much comfort and encouragement. Tim’s parents, who still live in Sugar Creek, have been supportive in other ways as well. Impressed with the care Tim is receiving at Firelands, they made a substantial donation to the Foundation for Firelands Cancer Program Fund. “My dad and his brothers recently sold my grandparents’ farm, and he donated some of the money he inherited to the foundation. He said it was the right thing to do,” says Tim. Adds Alice Springer, Director of Development of the Foundation for Firelands, “We are so grateful for the generosity of Tim’s father. His donation will not only support cancer patients at Firelands, but he is also demonstrating his gratitude for the care Tim has received.”
While continuing his treatment, Tim frequents a gym five days a week and has assumed all household duties while Heather pursues her job as a nursing home administrator. “I cook, clean, shovel snow, and do whatever needs to be done around the house. Dr. Adamowicz and Heather are encouraging me to speak to other firefighters about the danger of not following safety protocols on the job and the risk of getting cancer when you don’t. Dr. Adamowicz believes I got cancer from pesticide exposure from fighting fires in garages and sheds.”
“I’ve been so fortunate to have the amazing love and support of my family, co-workers, and friends,” says Tim. “I’m also very grateful to Firelands. I’m treated like a rock star here by everyone. I couldn’t ask for a better place to receive my care.”
