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Vol. 73 No. 39
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Mother seeks help to save her toddler
and New York,” Giantasio said. “I have to provide a lot of expenses up front to care for Seaford resident Daniella her. I was told I might have to Giantasio is desperately seek- relocate to Boston for up to a ing to raise money to help cover year because she needs both the cost of life-saving kidney kidneys removed and they need surgery for her 21-month-old to follow her very closely with daughter, Mia. the kidney transplant team.” Mia was born with multiple Michelle Dowling, a nurse rare health condicoordinator for the tions, including renovascular hyrenal artery stenopertension group at sis, a narrowing of Boston Children’s, one or both arteries has worked closely that supply blood to with Mia’s family. the kidneys, and She explained that aneurysms — a danthe Giantasios were gerous combination referred to the hosthat has caused lastpital from a local ing damage to both New York provider of her kidneys. Due in December. to the severity of “The reason she her condition, docwas initially ret o r s h ave d e t e rfer red to us was mined Mia must because she had undergo surgery to DANIEllA something in her remove both kid- GIANTASIo brain that I’m not neys and eventually Seaford mom super-familiar be the recipient of a with, which she kidney transplant. had surgery for,” For treatment, the family Dowling said. “Then when they travels regularly between Sea- did some imaging, they found ford and Boston Children’s Hos- an aneurysm on one of her pital, a nationally recognized arteries in her leg. leader in pediatric kidney care. “Doctors initially thought “Financially, it’s been very she had narrowing in her kiddifficult because I have to travel ney arteries, which is what back and forth between Boston
By DENIVIA RIVERA
Intern
Tim Baker/Herald
Wantagh firefighters with friends and family members at the Chamber of Commerce’s Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day celebration, where they were announced as next year’s grand marshals.
One grand marshal wasn’t enough Fire Department picked to lead 2026 St. Pat’s parade By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
For the past five years, the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce has chosen a community member who has made a difference to serve as grand marshal of one of Long Island’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parades. This year, one person wasn’t enough — the honor went to an entire department. At the chamber’s Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Sept. 18 at Mulcahy’s, officials announced that the Wantagh Fire Department will be next year’s collective grand marshal. The event included community members, local officials, Fire Department personnel and a performance by the Wantagh American Legion Pipe and Drum Band. The department was represented by 1st Assistant Chief Bill Stevens, 2nd Assistant Chief Paul Krussmann and 3rd Assistant Chief Chris Dolley. Being asked to lead next year’s parade, Stevens said, is an honor. “We’ve worked hand in hand with the chamber the past few parades,” Stevens said.
“We’re just honored to be recognized as grand marshals.” Chamber President Cathy McGrory Powell said the organization chose the entire department so as not to single out any one member, given that all respond in an emergency. “They’re the unsung heroes of the community,” McGrory Powell said. “You may not notice them, but you know you want them there when you need them, and they’re there.” The department has protected the community for well over a century, having been founded in December 1899. (Last year it marked its 125th anniversary.) From its early days as a small volunteer group using bucket brigades, it has grown into a modern department with about 200 members. Covering an area of two dozen square miles, including Jones Beach State Park and Tobay Beach, the department responds to a wide range of emergencies, from fires to water rescues. McGrory Powell said that it now operates out of five firehouses and responds to about ContinueD on Page 10
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inancially, it’s been very difficult, because I have to travel back and forth between Boston and New York.
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