10-year-old with ALS secures $200K donation for fire department

By Rebecca Howes
The Daily Press

APPLE VALLEY, Calif. — Firefighters, family and friends gathered Thursday to recognize the extraordinary efforts of 10-year-old honorary Apple Valley Fire Protection District firefighter Dominic Cumo. The Apple Valley boy secured a donation of 140 Tempur-Pedic mattresses for local fire stations — a donation worth approximately $200,000.

“In terms of donations, it’s such a huge thing for the community of the High Desert,” said Apple Valley Fire Chief Sid Hultquist. “Every fire station north of the Cajon Pass will get a new mattress.”

Firefighters formed a relationship with Dominic and his parents, Shawnee and Matteo, after responding to emergency calls at the Cumo residence due to Dominic’s medical condition. Dominic is one of the youngest people ever diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig’s Disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

Full story: AV boy makes difference in lives of firefighters