Hundreds of First Responders Head to Rhode Island for Sick Boy
Blue lights as far as the eye can see. All supporting #TylersTroops pic.twitter.com/hBH1zCAN6X
— Dustin Fitch (@DustinGFitch) March 6, 2014
Boston Police sent three police cruisers and seven police officers to join hundreds of other first responders from across the country for Thursday’s Tyler’s Troops event. The first responders delivered cards, toys, and other gifts to Tyler Seddon, of Burrillville, Rhode Island, for his seventh birthday. The young boy is fighting lymphoblastic leukemia for the second time, and his birthday wish was to receive cards from his heroes: police officers and fire fighters.
According to WCVB, the birthday party started at a Rhode Island police station, then moved on for a quick stop at Seddon’s school, followed by another celebration at Wrights Chicken Farm in Burrillville. Seddon needs a bone marrow transplant, and party guests can sign up to be possible donors.
“We have police officers in the audience here today who just arrived from New Hampshire. We have police officers that arrived here yesterday from Ohio,” Burrillville Police Department Col. Stephen Lynch said in a statement.
Rhode Island’s NBC affiliate reports that the caravan of police and fire vehicles is estimated to be 15 miles long. The groups have been uniting via social media through the #TylersTroops hashtag.
Dustin Finch, a Massachusetts State Trooper and social media specialist for the agency, has been live tweeting the event all morning.
#TylersTroops are lined up. About to rove for #Harrisville to meet Tyler. pic.twitter.com/4rSVty73Kk
— Dustin Fitch (@DustinGFitch) March 6, 2014
The #TylersTroops convoy has made it to East Providence. pic.twitter.com/xW8BdNEqoo
— Dustin Fitch (@DustinGFitch) March 6, 2014
Something you don’t typically want to see behind you! But for #TylersTroops it’s ok! pic.twitter.com/ivK77I2VHQ
— Dustin Fitch (@DustinGFitch) March 6, 2014
