First responders battling cancer honored for their sacrifice

One cancer survivor is making sure first responders, who put their lives on the line, are being taken care of when they need it most.

News 12 Staff

Dec 20, 2018, 12:26 PM

Updated 2,095 days ago

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One cancer survivor is making sure first responders, who put their lives on the line, are being taken care of when they need it most.
Cancer not only hit Tanya Martinez Hurtado, but also her friend, an NYPD officer. 

“I just thought about her regular job in itself. Everything they go through on a day-to-day basis, and they're humans just like we are. They're heroes, but they're humans and people tend to forget,” says Martinez Hurtado.

Martinez Hurtado, a mother of two, decided to organize "Cancer Has No Face," an event to honor first responders who are battling the disease. 

Firefighter Richard Batista is a cancer survivor. He developed thyroid cancer in his early 40s and credits it to his work following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. He was honored on Wednesday night at the Baychester event. 

“When someone takes the time out of their busy schedule not only to raise funds, but to do something positive, it brings the community of cancer survivors together,” says Batista.

Martinez Hurtado’s cervical cancer is now in remission, but she continues this effort for people like Sal Turturici, a retired EMT and father of three who is currently battling cancer that he says spread to his liver after 9/11. 

“When things happen in your life, you can't just sit back and say, ‘this is it.’ I have to keep going, otherwise you're going to die,” says Turturici.

DJ Pretty Lou of Hot 97's Heavy Hitters has had his own battle with leukemia. He says he is spinning at the event to send a message. 

“I want to show people that there is still life while you're fighting,” says DJ Pretty Lou.