Firefighter gets surprise greeting after final cancer treatment

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McDonald firefighter Ryan Johnston greets colleagues and hospital staff after completing his final radiation treatment at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Washington.

Karen Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

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Ryan Johnston waves a RyanStrong flag during a celebration of his final radiation treatment on Tuesday. Johnston was diagnosed with brain cancer in July.

Courtesy of UPMC Washington

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Ryan Johnston, a firefighter for McDonald Volunteer Fire Department, rings the bell after completing radiation treatment at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Washington.

Courtesy of UPMC Washington

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Ryan Johnston chats with firefighters and emergency personnel at a celebration marking his final radiation treatment on Tuesday.

Courtesy of UPMC Washington

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Ryan Johnston, surrounded by family and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center staff, gives a thumbs-up after completing treatment.

Courtesy of UPMC Washington

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Fire trucks and emergency vehicles from more than a dozen fire departments and first responder agencies lined up outside UPMC Hillman Cancer Center UPMC Washington.

Courtesy of UPMC Washington

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Firefighters and first responders cheered and clapped Tuesday morning as McDonald Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Ryan Johnston completed his final radiation treatment at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Washington for brain cancer.

Johnston, 32, was met with a surprise send-off after he rang the celebratory bell following the final of his 33 radiation treatments.

“It feels good to be done,” said Johnston, who was caught off-guard by the celebration. “All of this support is great. I want to thank everyone for their support, and I’m ready to move on. I want to get back to work.”

More than 50 uniformed firefighters and first responders from more than a dozen Washington and Allegheny County fire departments and law enforcement agencies, along with family, friends and members of his UPMC care team wearing “Ryan Strong” T-shirts, lined the halls to hug, shake hands, and pat Johnston on the back.

Fire trucks and emergency vehicles were lined up along the street as Johnston walked outside.

“It’s really an honor for all of us to be out here today to celebrate his last treatment,” said McDonald VFD Fire Chief Philip Boggs. “This celebrates the brotherhood and sisterhood, and the support we have for each other. When one person goes down, everybody has their backs. We come together when somebody is going through a really tough time. We celebrate their successes, we celebrate their joys, and we’re there even in something as trying as a cancer diagnosis.”

Johnston was diagnosed with a glioma, a cancerous brain tumor, in late July, after suffering a seizure.

On July 24, he underwent complex neurosurgery at UPMC Presbyterian and underwent daily radiation oncology treatments. Johnston was accompanied to most of those treatments by family and McDonald firefighters.

When he returned to his Chartiers Township home on July 27 after surgery, firefighters organized a welcome home parade of fire trucks in front of his house.

“Ryan was a dream patient. He always came in super optimistic. He really attacked his treatment and did everything we asked to be successful,” said Dr. Steven Mandhish, the radiation oncologist who supervised Johnston’s treatment. “It’s inspiring to see so much support around him, and I’m thankful to be part of this special day.”

Johnston now will undergo chemotherapy at UPMC. His prognosis is very good, oncologists said.

Johnston, a paid firefighter at McDonald, known as 12 House, has been with the department for six years. He said the support from his colleagues has helped him get through his cancer journey.

They have rallied to provide dinners, transportation to treatments and appointments (he can’t drive yet), organized fundraisers, and offered emotional support.

“It’s helped me to stay positive,” said Johnston. “I’ve had a positive attitude, and the support has meant a lot.”