TFD, Local Charities Organize Toy Giveaway For Children Fighting Cancer

Tulsa Metro Women on Fire and Hydrants of Hope hosted their first Spring Fling event Saturday.

The charities raised thousands of dollars to buy toys, bikes and game consoles for kids battling cancer.

There were also special appearances from exotic animals to princesses and superheroes, trying to make a kid's day. 

Tulsa Fire Department chief Michael Baker said the firefighter's heroes are not ones wearing capes.

"These families go through what we don't understand every day," Baker said. "And so we might fight fires occasionally. They fight a battle every day." 

Baker said firefighters spent at least $400 per child in toys and electronics. Seeing the smile on kids’ faces makes it all worthwhile.

"To give back just a little bit and make a little bit of headway and have a smile instead of a frown or a time away is incredible,” Baker said. “And we are just so honored to be a participant.

Sara Lohse is a parent of a patient. Lohse said events like these remind her that she is never truly alone.

"Cancer isolates you," Lohse said. "To be able to come here and share this experience with other families, we don't even know each other yet we feel immediately inducted into a family.” 

Lohse's daughter, Madilyn, and her best friend, Faith Cowherd, are both battling cancer. They met each other while in the hospital receiving treatment. 

They want to mirror the bravery they see from firefighters in their everyday lives.

"They go in and help people in a fire," Madilyn Lohse said. 

"They don't care (about) the situation. They don't think about getting hurt,” Cowherd said. “They are just like, ‘Oh, I have to help these people and they just go and help automatically.’”