Vision Quest
Fundraiser will help Paterson Local 1 member afflicted with retina cancer receive ongoing support
In March 2012, veteran Paterson Local 1 member and devoted father David D’ Arco sat struggling to process news from his retina specialist. He’ d just been diagnosed with uveal melanoma, a rare form of eye cancer. At the time, he had devoted 13 years to the Paterson Police Department and had plans to continue his service – and loving care of his baby girl Talia.
But life happens and plans can change. Suddenly D’ Arco found himself making frequent trips to Philadelphia for brachytherapy, which is treatment by the insertion of radioactive implants directly into the tissue. And though he couldn’ t devote the same kind of time and energy to the job while undergoing radiation, Local members, like his family, remained by his side through his treatment.
“ Just like they have each other’ s back when they go on patrol, they have each other’ s back when it comes to certain things like this,” says D’ Arco’ s brother, retired Paterson Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael D’ Arco.“ His closest friends in the department are always there for him, whether he needed rides down to Philadelphia or just people to go with him on the ride for companionship. The guys made themselves available.”
Despite receiving cutting-edge treatment from the best specialists in the country – and true-blue support of his fiancée Ellen and his family on the job – D’ Arco absorbed another hit this past April when he opted to have his left eye removed in an effort to remain as healthy as possible. Again, D’ Arco’ s indelible spirit persisted and within weeks, he was back to work.
“ For him, returning to work is like getting back on the horse and doing what you know how to do,” says Michael.“ The police and fire departments are like a brotherhood. They’ re like a family. When you’ re off from work, you’ re kind of missing that family. You have a lot of officers that are your friends and have your back in the worst of situations. So to return to something like that is probably more beneficial than anything because you’ re surrounding yourself with family whom you know and trust.”
Now approaching his 20th year on the job, D’ Arco’ s connection to his brothers and sisters over the years has intensified. In May, he learned of three small lesions that had developed in his liver as a result of the melanoma spreading. While his next course of action remains uncertain, his relationship to men and women of Local 1 and his calling to serve remain strong.
Through a partnership with the Melanoma Research Foundation( MRF) – and alongside support from the Paterson PD. Friends & Family of Dave D’ Arco will hold a fundraiser whose proceeds will help offset the cost of D’ Arco’ s prosthetic eye and help aid MRF’ s ongoing Eyes on the Cure campaign.
Though Michael views his brother’ s worldly struggle as incomprehensible, the rally of love and support he’ s observed resonates on a higher plane.
“ What he might have thought in his darkest hour, I have no
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Eyes on the Cure Fundraiser September 14 Boys & Girls Club of Clifton 181 Colfax Ave., Clifton
Beefsteak and chicken wing dinner, tricky tray and live entertainment
For more information or to donate to Eyes on the Cure, call Michael D’ Arco at 201-686-7638.
David D’ Arco, second from right, with members of his family.
idea,” he says.“ But I know that when you come to your senses and look around and you see all the faces of those who support you, you’ ve got to take a little bit of refuge in that.” d