On May 20, 2024, what began as a routine scan for sinus concerns turned into a life-changing moment. Just hours after his imaging, Dave received a call asking him to return to the Emergency Department. Within a week, he was at Johns Hopkins undergoing brain surgery to remove a tumor. The surgery was a success, and true to who he is, Dave exceeded every expectation in his recovery. His strength and determination were evident from the very beginning. A few weeks later, the pathology report brought devastating news: glioblastoma. It was a heartbreaking diagnosis for Dave and for everyone who loves him. Yet even in that moment, Dave chose hope. He committed himself fully to the fight, focusing on staying mentally strong and physically resilient. He met chemotherapy and radiation with courage, grit, and an unwavering spirit. His perseverance paid off — his scans remained clear through March of 2025. At the same time, Dave faced another difficult battle — navigating workers’ compensation. Ultimately, the Maryland Workman’s Compensation Commission determined that his cancer was presumptively related to his service with the fire department. This decision aligned with the findings of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer agency of the World Health Organization, which in 2022 classified occupational exposure as a firefighter as a Group 1 carcinogen — meaning there is sufficient evidence it causes cancer in humans. Dave’s years of courageous service came with risks no one should have to bear. In April 2025, Dave underwent another brain surgery. Once again, he defied expectations. The day after returning home from the hospital, he walked 1.3 miles — a powerful reflection of his resilience and determination. Over the next eight months, he faced and overcame additional challenges, including multiple blood clots. He chose to keep fighting, participating in clinical trials and undergoing further radiation in pursuit of every possible option. As 2025 came to a close, Dave continued pushing forward despite brain fog, weakness, reduced mobility, and profound fatigue. Through it all, he remained hopeful, focused, and deeply determined. The start of 2026 has brought even more obstacles — COVID, hydrocephalus, and another procedure to place a shunt in his brain. And still, Dave continues to fight with courage, faith, and remarkable strength. His journey has been marked by unimaginable challenges, but also by extraordinary perseverance. Through every setback, Dave has shown what it truly means to face adversity with heart, grit, and unwavering resolve.