Joe 'Doc' Vinacco

On November 9th 2014 Providence Fire Department Local 799 is throwing a fundraiser for one of our very own. In August of this year, 44 year old Lieutenant Joe “Doc” Vinacco, a paramedic at Branch Avenue's Rescue 3 was diagnosed with stage 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma; cancer of the brain. Lieutenant Vinacco has been part of the Providence Fire Department for fourteen years, serving as one of the departments most valuable rescue officers. Prior to joining the PFD family, Joe already knew and understood the meaning of courage, honor, loyalty, perseverance and commitment. From 1994 – 2001 Joe served as a medic in the National Guard. Two short years after he joined the Guard, Joe met his beautiful wife Erin, who has been by his side every step of the way and continues to be. Joe and Erin have four amazing children, a five year old son, nine year old daughter and twin twelve year olds. Since their children were born Joe and Erin have done everything in their power to take their children to Disney every year. Since I became Joe’s Rescue partner, he has consistently told me two things; there is nothing a man can’t do with a strong woman by his side and there is nothing that could ever compare to the feeling he gets seeing the smiles on his children’s faces and the magic in their eyes when they see Mickey Mouse for the first time. Not only does Joe have an amazing work ethic, but he is an even more amazing husband and father. In early October Joe had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Now, shortly after the operation, Joe has started radiation and chemotherapy every day for six weeks. After the six weeks doctors plan on taking another MRI followed by an even heavier dose of chemotherapy. Joe and his wife are trying their best to stay optimistic about the situation; however, saying that he has a long road to recovery would be an understatement. Everyone on the Providence Fire Department is reaching out and doing everything they can to make this very unfortunate situation a little easier, but we need all of the help we can get. Joe has been serving Providence, saving lives and devoting his time to help others for the majority of his life, now, it is time for us to help him. Please consider donating to this cause, for Joe, his family and for his brothers and sisters on the Fire Department. We are one and no one fights alone. We thank you for your consideration in this matter and appreciate you supporting the cause.

"Because we are there for each other”

In Solidarity,

Gillian Cardarelli
401-323-3534 (C)