Fire Captain Mike Palumbo

I am Mark Palumbo, a Fire Lieutenant/Paramedic for the City of Mayfield Heights, Ohio. My brother, Michael Palumbo, is a Fire Captain/Paramedic for the City of Beachwood, Ohio, a suburb outside of Cleveland. My brother Michael has been my inspiration, best friend, and idol my entire life. Michael became a firefighter in 1990, first being appointed to the Willowick Fire Department where he still serves today as a shift Captain (part-time). The next year, the movie Backdraft premiered, romanticizing the fire service. I was ten years old at the time and remember feeling such pride as I sat in the theater watching the film with Michael. In the movie are two brothers who work together as firefighters - right then and there I knew exactly what I wanted to do in life. In 2003, my wish came true and I became a firefighter appointed to Willowick alongside my brother. I have had the opportunity to watch, work with, and learn from my brother over the past twelve years. Michael is undoubtedly the best firefighter, paramedic, and officer I have seen in the fire service, a true mentor.

If you were to meet Michael you would see a 47 year old gentleman of strong mind and spirit with never-ending love for his wife of 21 years, Chrissy, and their family. Michael and Chrissy have five children ranging in age from first grade to a sophomore in college, all of whom he is extremely proud. Michael is a 24-year veteran of Beachwood Fire Department, consistently moving through the ranks and mentoring many of their junior firefighters. Michael is a senior advisor to the Chief and the Assistant Chief, and has helped mold the department into what it is today.

On August 30, 2015, while on a walk with his wife, Chrissy, and younger son, Sam, Michael began to exhibit stroke like symptoms. He was Life-Flighted to the Cleveland Clinic where it was determined that he had developed several lesions on his brain.  Michael had undergone major brain surgery to remove the lesions but, unfortunately, all of them could not be removed surgically. The pathology was that these were malignant tumors, ultimately to be diagnosed as Glioblastoma Multiforme.  This is an extremely aggressive form of brain cancer for which there is no current cure. This form of cancer has been linked to firefighting. Michael begins his battle next week with chemotherapy and radiation concurrently, to be equally aggressive. Michael is prepared to fight this battle.

I am asking you to assist my brother and his family so that he can focus ALL of his efforts on fighting this cancer. We know the future will hold many expenses with healthcare, lost wages from work, out of town treatment and other items. Any donation will help us with our mission and will be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you.