Community Surprises Daughter of 9/11 Fallen Hero Battling Cancer

HAUPPAUGE, NY — A simple quilt was not enough for Amelia Hemkle, who lost her father, NYPD Police Officer Robert Helmke, to 9/11 related illness in 2007. Now, the 17-year-old was facing another challenge, battling Stage 3 Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Amelia deserved an extra-special show of love from the community, thought Catherine Lee, president of the Metro New York Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, or C.O.P.S.

“I made her a comfort blanket,” said Lee, who’s known the Hemkle family for 13 years. “We were going to deliver it. I said, no, we need to do something for her.”

And that’s when the idea for a drive-by parade was born.

Phone calls were made. Lee reached out to local law enforcement, spread the word on social media, and created a flyer. Greta Hemkle, Amelia’s mother, excitedly got on board and arranged a date.

Amelia has undergone three rounds of chemotherapy so far at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, her mother said.

“It was the day before she was going to have another chemo, so I knew she would be feeling a little bit better", Greta said.

Jamie Atkinson, Suffolk County Deputy Coordinator for Suffolk County Fire Rescue & Emergency Services, loved the idea and acted fast.

“It was a no-brainer”, said Atkinson, who reached out to the Hauppauge Fire Department, Suffolk Police, Sayville Community Ambulance, and Suffolk County Fire Rescue.

After three weeks of secrecy, planning, and praying for good weather, Greta told Ameilia to get dressed and go outside.

More than 50 vehicles driven by local law enforcement, fire department and ambulances volunteers, and family of fallen police officers headed down the Happauge family’s street on Wednesday, cheering and honking to celebrate Ameilia’s halfway mark of chemotherapy treatments.

“It was just amazing,” said Greta about Amelia’s reaction. “Just seeing her face light up.”

As cars passed by, participants stopped by the house with balloons and gift baskets.

“I don't think she really expected all of that,” said Greta.

Amelia was especially excited about using the Amazon gift certificates she received to buy wigs, Greta said. She had lost all her hair in her second chemo treatment.

Lee gifted Amelia the item that inspired the event — a 40-inch green-and-pink checkered quilt with Hawaiian-themed flowers.

“Amelia is a girlie girl”, said Lee, who traveled from Staten Island for the parade.
She also gifted Amelia with trinkets from a recent island trip: some bracelets and a Palmera flower, which symbolizes new beginnings.

C.O.P.S., a non-profit organization that assists line of duty families, provides resources and a support system for survivors nationwide.

“We take care of spouses, children, parents, siblings, significant others, co-workers,” Lee said. “We’re one big family.”

Lee’s son, NYPD Officer Kevin Lee, died in the line of duty in 2006. Since then, Lee and her husband have felt a call to support other families, whether it's by attending funerals, memorial services, planning events or getting lunch with other families.

“Our blue family is amazing,” said Greta. “They are always there for us.”

At her chemo treatment the next day, Greta said Amelia "just lit up" when telling everyone about the drive-by. Ameilia herself has raised almost $400 for leukemia and lymphoma research by selling sweatshirts and posting on social media.

She has three more rounds of chemo, and is expected to finish treatments in December.

Atkinson, who suffers from 9/11 related cancer, says although he and other participants did not know Amelia personally, they can relate to her struggles on a personal level.

“For her to have that smile was honestly very emotional,” said Atkinson. “She has a battle ahead of her but hopefully this puts a little comfort in her strength.”

To purchase a sweatshirt, click here. All funds will go toward The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.