CANTON, Ga. — One mighty three-year-old is joining the ranks as the newest member of one metro Atlanta fire department.
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In July, Austin Herre who recently turned three, stopped by the Cherokee County Fire & Emergency to see a few fire trucks.
According to the department, Herre’s mother, Chelsea shared with officials that his birthday also marked the third year he’s had Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) and the 170th day of his cancer-fighting journey.
ALD is a rare disease that affects 1 in 17,000 people. It’s a neurological disorder that affects the adrenal glands and brain and causes long-chain fatty acids in the brain, which destroys the protective myelin sheath around nerve cells, responsible for brain function.
Herre was diagnosed with ALD at just six months old.
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Herre was also diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on January 15, 2023. Cherokee authorities said he has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. Herre’s parents said his end-of-treatment date is set for May 18, 2025.
According to the fire department, Herre was able to meet with Fire Chief, Eddie Robinson, play with toy fire trucks and even crawl through real fire trucks.
Cherokee County fire officials presented Herre with his own CCFES firefighter uniform and named him an honorary firefighter.
“The fire service is known for the brotherhood and sisterhood that connects firefighters around the world like family,” said Robinson. “Austin and his family are now members of our fire family, and we will be right beside him for his fight.”
The family has created a GoFundMe to help support Herre’s cancer journey.
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