COUDERSPORT — Even if 3-year-old Kai’s dad, Evan Rodriguez, were not a volunteer with Coudersport Fire Department, an assist from the crew still counts as “brothers helping brothers” because Kai is going to be a firefighter one day.

The department recently shared a post on its Facebook page that a benefit will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday to support Kai, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia.

“Kai is full of life, joy and the biggest heart you could ever imagine,” the department’s post reads. “He loves toy firetrucks, playing with his sister, and dreams of growing up to be a firefighter, just like his dad.

“In this unimaginable time, Kai and his family need us. And if there’s one thing we do best in Coudersport, it’s come together when it counts. The Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department is asking for your support as one of our own faces every parent’s worst nightmare.”

The benefit, which will be held at the department at 171 Route 6 West, will include a chicken barbecue, bake sale, 50/50 raffle, chance auction, basket raffles and more. All proceeds will go directly to Kai’s family to help cover travel, lodging and the many unexpected expenses they now face.

Anyone interested in donating a basket, baked goods or making a contribution of any kind can message the department’s Facebook page or contact Tony Cowburn at (814) 203-6960.

“Together, we can make a difference,” their flyer states. “Let’s show Kai what love and strength from a small town truly looks like. #KaiStrong #CoudersportCares #brothershelpingbrothers Please consider helping out one of our own.”

“(Kai’s parents) feel bad taking the help,” Cowburn said. “I said, ‘Listen, this is one of those things — you may feel bad now but there will come a time when you’re going to need it.’”

Rodriguez, a full-time dispatcher with the McKean County Department of Emergency Services, explained that Kai’s mom, Dixie Eschrich, noticed that Kai seemed “off” during the Fourth of July weekend. The following Monday, Kai’s state further declined and he was taken to the emergency room at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Initial tests showed Kai was anemic, but further testing throughout the day determined he has leukemia. On July 8, Kai and his parents learned that he has B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

Kai, who was practically raised in a firehouse, Evan said, had surgery to put a central line (port) in place, a bone marrow draw and a spinal tap to check whether he had signs of leukemia in his spinal fluid.

“Thankfully,” Evan said, “he does not.”

Kai began chemotherapy treatment July 16.

“If all goes well, we will be released to go home in 10 days,” Evan explained. “However, for the next 8 months, Kai will have weekly trips to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for chemotherapy and, if all goes as planned with that, he will be moved to monthly treatments, again at Children’s Hospital, for roughly two and a half years, if not more.”
Kai’s mom is a preschool teacher for Goddard Family School and resides in Brownsville, outside of Pittsburgh.

“Kai is the most loving, caring, full of life child you would ever meet,” his dad said. “He enjoys playing with his sister, swimming, playing outside, being surrounded by all of his toys — cars, dinosaurs and all of his little gadgets and gizmos — superheroes, and fire trucks.

“He has been so strong during all of this,” Evan continued. “He’s the strongest little boy I’ve ever met and he’s been so brave through all of it. He amazes his mother and I every day with his strength, bravery and drive to fight — and we could not be more proud of our son.”