Hundreds come to support Drella’s family

By Tara Vocino

Approximately 450 people attended the Badges for Cure fundraiser for Dana-Farber and Lt. Damian Drella, 59, who passed away from occupational cancer earlier this year, at Kowloon last Friday night. Co-Organizer Firefighter Anthony Arone said they have raised approximately $60,000 for Dana-Farber throughout the years. The police and fire unions host the event.

“Damian would have been the first person to sign up,” Arone said. “His funeral had 300 people at it.”

Co-Organizer Firefighter Steven Mirando said they are blessed to have this many people support the cause. Co-Organizer Officer Robert Stanley said they are glad to help out on behalf of Drella.

“Hopefully, we’ll keep this going,” Stanley said.

His son, Alex Drella, who graduated from Saugus High School in 2006, said it’s a beautiful thing when a tragedy hits in the firefighting community — that everyone treats him like family. “He would be here right with us toasting a tiki,” said Alex Drella, who is a Mendon Firefighter.

Daughter-in-law Caroline Drella said it’s nice to see a whole community come together for someone like Damian. She said he was a great grandfather to their son, Cooper, 4.

His other son, Christian, who is a Melrose Firefighter, said it’s unbelievable the amount of support that Saugus Fire has given him and his family. “It shows how much they loved him,” Christian Drella said. “We are forever grateful.”

His fiancée Jennifer Duby, estimated that there are more than a dozen communities present. “Whenever we needed anything, Saugus helped us out,” Jennifer Duby said.

Her sister, Christine Duby, said he would be proud to see the number of people who came out to support him and his sons. “We look forward to coming every year,” Christine Duby said.

State Representative Donald Wong said everyone is here who should be here. “He was a great guy and will be missed dearly,” Wong said.

State Representative Jessica Giannino said Badges for a Cure is always such a wonderful event, and the Saugus police and fire unions do a phenomenal job each year bringing people together in support of first responders and their families. “This year was especially meaningful as we gathered in memory of Lt. Drella and honored his courageous battle with occupational cancer,” Giannino said. “I am incredibly grateful to everyone who works so hard to make this event possible year after year.”

Representatives Wong and Giannino share a deep commitment to supporting police officers, firefighters and their families, and she is always grateful for the opportunity to work alongside him on behalf of the first responders who serve the communities.