VIDEO: A fundraiser was held Saturday for an EMT from East Islip who is now fighting for her life.
The Islip Terrace Fire Department hosted a pasta night fundraiser for Heather McNamara.
She was diagnosed with cancer when she was just 3-years-old.
Five years later, she made national headlines when she became the first child to undergo a high-risk operation to remove a tumor. But McNamara, who is now 22, is suffering from organ failure and is now on life support.
The community came out to support her in a big way. "She is very ill and has been hospitalized since Dec. 26, and the community has come together, along with the Islip Terrace Fire Department and the Exchange Ambulance to put together this fundraiser for her and her family. Her family has been at the hospital with her the last few months and we are here to support them," said Islip Terrace Fire Department Chief Peter Peluso.