APD’s ‘Hero Academy’ gives sick children a day of fun
Compassionate heroes in blue support heroes in the battle of their lives
Through the efforts of Patricia Savage, office assistant at the Albuquerque Police Department, and APD’s Operation Hope “Making a Difference” initiative, children being treated for cancer in Albuquerque and their siblings were provided with school supplies, certificates for new shoes and gift cards to purchase the basic necessities of starting school.
On a very hot day in August, dedicated men and women of the APD stood outside local Walmart stores and APD substations to receive donations from the public in an effort to ease the stress of parents who struggle financially and emotionally because of a childhood cancer diagnosis.
This began a strong bond between APD officers and staff, and some brave, young heroes who are in the battle of their lives.
Soon after the Back to School drive, Officer John Corvino of the Albuquerque Police Department Academy and lead instructor for the APD Junior Police Academy contacted the Children’s Cancer Fund of New Mexico to offer a one-day junior police academy for children with cancer.
Corvino and a dedicated group of officers from various APD sections diligently planned the first “Hero Academy.”
On Sept. 27, 22 children with cancer were treated to a truly unforgettable experience — a day when they could forget about chemotherapy and being sick; a day when they could just have fun.
They learned what it would be like to become a police officer, and they taught some very strong men and women exactly what it meant to be a real “hero.”
A child who could hardly walk early in her diagnosis rappelled from a building; a child who was released from the hospital at 11 p.m. the previous day after a week of grueling chemotherapy treatments stood at attention and did push-ups.
And men and women of the Albuquerque Police Department gave up their day off to make sure that each child had an experience they would not forget. They treated each child with sincere compassion and made them feel very special.
The Albuquerque Police Department is not always portrayed positively in the media and it is easy to form a negative opinion based on what we see on television or read in the newspaper. The Children’s Cancer Fund of New Mexico staff, the children and their parents are fortunate and grateful for the relationship that we have formed with the APD.
We have seen and experienced firsthand that the APD has many, many selfless and generous individuals who will “rise above” to make a difference in the life of a child.
Thank you John Corvino, Patricia Savage and the Albuquerque Police Department. You have our sincere respect and admiration.