Highland heroes need help

Community support sought

By SANDY LONG

TOWN OF HIGHLAND, NY — To the Town of Highland, Pat Friedrich and her son Keith are the sort of everyday heroes that every community depends upon.

The pair contributes many hours of volunteer service to the Yulan Fire Department and its ladies auxiliary, the ambulance corps and American Legion. Pat serves as president of the Friends of the Library, while Keith cares for the ambulances and their storage facility and grounds. Keith was recently recognized by the Highland constables for his outstanding support of their efforts, too.

Meanwhile, the family received other devastating news—Pat’s daughter, Chrissy Bertolino, was diagnosed with liver cancer.

In response to increasing weight loss and anemia, Chrissy, the mother of eight-year-old Charley, underwent tests that would ultimately reveal a tumor requiring a liver dissection. Surgery was scheduled to remove the diseased part of the organ at Albert Einstein Medical Center on December 10.

The family is currently facing additional challenges, as Chrissy’s husband, Sal, who works in construction, is rehabilitating from shoulder surgery and is unable to work.

To help with the many added expenses brought on by the situation, other community volunteers and town personnel have organized a spaghetti-and-meatball dinner to be held at the Yulan Fire Department on December 13, beginning at 5:00 p.m. “The Friedrichs do so much for the Town of Highland, and they’re always there to lend a hand,” said town clerk Doreen Hanson. “This is an attempt to help in this terrible situation. It’s our turn to support them.”

It’s not the first time the 41-year-old has fought, and won, a battle with cancer. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 13, Chrissy defied a 30-percent survival rate. Pat believes her daughter will do it again.

So does Charley, who overcame a bout of stomach distress the day her mom went to the hospital. “I was upset. Nervous. My throat was dry and I kept swallowing water, but it didn’t help,” said Charley. Somehow, the plucky third grader calmed herself down and got to work doing laundry and tending to the family’s cats during her mother’s absence. The honor roll student also loves to cook, particularly cakes and butternut squash, and will make something delicious for her mother’s return.

For more information about the fundraiser, contact Doreen Sweeney at 845/557-6540. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and can be purchased at the Yulan Fire Department or at the door. Donations are welcome. Make checks payable to the Yulan Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, noting “Christina Bertolino Fund” on the memo line, and mail it to the Yulan Fire Department, P.O. Box 33, Yulan NY 12792.