‘NO GREATER GIFT’
Local police grant wish to child with cancer
WEST POTTSGROVE » Area police have been busy this past week as they spent the days leading up to Christmas playing Santa.
West Pottsgrove, West Vincent and East Vincent police departments made one child’s wish come true this week by letting him take a spin in one of their police vehicles.
Kieran Walsh, 4, of Chester County, has been battling cancer for over a year and just recently returned from the hospital after a second bout. Police, after participating in No Shave November for cancer awareness last year, wanted to take the cause a step further and partnered with Red Corner Benefit.
“This year we wanted to pick a child, and knowing about Red Corner, I reached out to them and asked what they do with
the second place child. That’s how we got Kieran. We reached out to them,” said West Pottsgrove Police Chief Matthew Stofflet.
Red Corner Benefit is a nonprofit organization that works to raise funds and awareness for local children battling cancer. Each year the organization picks one child for whom they hold the benefit. The proceeds from the benefit then go directly to the family to help with the costs of treatment and other expenses.
Kieran’s wish was a simple one. He wanted to ride in a police car. So officers went all out with his request, borrowing a SWAT van for Kieran to take a ride.
“He wished to take a ride in a police car and we got Chester County to donate the Bearcat to give him a ride,” explained Stofflet.
And Kieran could not have been more excited.
“He said it was the coolest thing. He was smiles from ear to ear. He looked astounded like he couldn’t believe it,” said Stofflet.
Kieran and his family enjoyed the ride with several officers, and Kieran was showered with gifts from Red Corner. Police said the experience was humbling and that they hope to keep doing it every year.
“It was very humbling to see a 4-year-old boy in a battle that most of us never understand. We got to start a conversation about families suffering in silence with cancer. We wanted to recognize them and get their message out. Kieran was our recipient this year and we wanted to share his cause. If we can be a part of that message I believe we’re doing our part to help those people. Young or old,” said Stofflet. “If this little bit of giving makes a difference, there is no greater gift.”