Excerpts from DailyHerald.com:
Steve De Luca, a firefighter from Northbrook and a resident of Mount Prospect, has set an impressive fitness goal for the coming year. He plans to run a half-marathon in July, take on the Ironman Wisconsin in September, and finish the Chicago Marathon in October—his 25th time running the race.
But 2017 is shaping up to be even more meaningful for De Luca. He hopes to celebrate his 16th anniversary of being cancer-free after he was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer back in 2001. His journey through treatment and recovery has been nothing short of inspiring.
De Luca’s challenges didn’t end there. More than 20 years ago, surgeons removed a benign acoustic neuroma from his head. While the tumor itself wasn’t life-threatening, the surgery left him with nearly total hearing loss in his left ear, and now his right ear is also experiencing progressive hearing loss.
At first, De Luca worried that his hearing difficulties might affect his career as a firefighter. He has served as a firefighter apparatus engineer for 26 years, a role that requires sharp auditory awareness. But with the help of advanced hearing aids in both ears, he has been able to continue working effectively. These devices help him detect sounds and recognize emergency dispatch tones, which are critical in his job.
Northbrook Fire Chief Jose Torres says De Luca is one of the few firefighters in the department—nearly 100 members—to serve while wearing two hearing aids. “It’s not something you see every day,†Torres said. “His dedication and adaptability are truly remarkable.â€
Thanks to his personal health struggles, De Luca has become a strong advocate for health and wellness within the fire department. He's especially passionate about air quality monitoring tools that help firefighters avoid harmful toxins during emergencies and cleanup operations.
While all firefighters use breathing equipment, Torres explained that many are exposed to dangerous gases during post-fire cleanups. That’s why De Luca was recently invited to join the Northbrook Fire Department’s health and wellness committee. His firsthand experience with health challenges brings a unique and valuable perspective to the team.
“He’s admired by his peers for his endurance and commitment,†Torres said. “But what really sets him apart is his motivation. He runs these races not just for himself, but for others who are still fighting their own battles with cancer.â€
Thanks, Dan
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