Fire department rallies around member with sudden cancer diagnosis

NEW KENSINGTON — A local firefighter is now facing a new kind of battle after a sudden cancer diagnosis.

Safety Officer Chris Ploski with the New Kensington Fire Department was recently diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung cancer, which doctors determined has spread to his brain’s pituitary gland.

“Chris is a great guy, he’s a great co-worker, a great firefighter and a great friend overall,” said New Kensington Fire Lt. Joe Weinel. “When I did find out, it was heartbreaking, you never want to see anyone go through something like that.”

The fire department is teaming up with the New Kensington Eagles for a fundraising event. It is set for Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the New Kensington Eagles building on Freeport Road. There will be food and raffles.

Tickets will cost $10, or $5 for children under five. They can also be purchased at the door.

If you have any questions or want to donate food or raffle baskets for the event, contact the fire department.

The department is also spreading the word about an online fundraiser for Ploski, which has already raised nearly $10,000.

“We certainly need the community to step up and do the best that they can,” said Safety Officer Tom Straub. “Just like we’re going to take care of them on their worst day, we need them to take care of Chris on his worst day.”

Ploski reportedly doesn’t have health insurance, so any donation will help significantly, his colleagues said.

“We want to make sure we get all his expenses covered, the best way we can,” Straub said. “One of the risks we go through is a higher risk of cancer, we are exposed to a lot of toxins, the combustible products of the fire create all kinds of cancer hazards.”

Ploski joined the department back in 2009, serving in a number of roles. He is one of the department’s volunteer drivers, and has been able to work a day shift, which is invaluable. Finding volunteers to work during the day can be a challenge, Straub said.

“He wants to help people,” Straub said. “I talked to him the other day... every call that goes off, he laments not being able to come out and join us, so he wants to be here, we want to get him back here.”

Ploski has a wife and a son, CJ, who also serves as a firefighter.

Ploski is currently undergoing treatment. His fellow firefighters told Channel 11 they are optimistic, and that his spirits are high.

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