Before little Trucker Dukes from Maui even turned two years old, life had already thrown him a harrowing curveball: a diagnosis of stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive pediatric cancer that would test his courage and reshape his young life.
Despite the unimaginable challenges ahead, Trucker’s spirit remained unbroken—and that resilience would soon kindle a bond far greater than his illness.
Trucker travels regularly with his mom back and forth between Maui and New York, pursuing specialized treatment. During one such trip, they stayed at the Ronald McDonald House, a comforting hub for families navigating pediatric care. It was there they met Captain Jim Grismer—who would soon change everything.
The connection was instant. Captain Grismer described the moment vividly: “I see this little boy excitedly walking toward me with his eyes aglow. I opened my arms and he climbed up and hugged me like a brother.” That hug, spontaneous and full of pure affection, awakened something profound.
Spurred by that spark, Grismer invited Trucker into his world—the world of firefighters. Trucker toured multiple firehouses in New York; the sights and sounds of sirens, trucks, and helmets filled him with wonder. And he wasn’t just a visitor. The FDNY—deeply moved by his joy and bravery—formally adopted him as one of their own.
That honorary title wasn’t just symbolic. Trucker truly believed he was a firefighter, and the department embraced him wholeheartedly. In their eyes, he was family. Big, tough men—heroes themselves—met their match in this boy whose every wide-eyed “Yeah, boys!” carried more strength than most.
For the Dukes family, this bond became a lifeline—a source of hope, friendship, and normalcy amid the chaos of hospitalization and treatments. Far from his Maui home, Trucker found his place among the New York firehouses, where laughter, compassion, and camaraderie lived alongside the clang of alarms.
Years later, as Trucker continues his fight, the FDNY’s adoption remains a heartwarming testament to the power of human connection. His story isn’t just about illness—it’s about belonging, light amid darkness, and the magic that happens when you give a little boy his dream.