Published November 21, 2018

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — November 16 was a special day for Erik Bell.

Erik, a sixth grader at Lynnfield Middle School, and his family were presented with a $5,000 check from the nonprofit organization Cops for Kids with Cancer during a moving ceremony in the Joe Maney Meeting Room at Town Hall. Erik has conquered a year-long battle with Burkitt Lymphoma.

“I am doing great,” said Erik in an interview with the Villager after the ceremony. “I was recently told that I am now cancer-free. I had surgery to remove the tumor. The check means a lot to me.”

The ceremony included Erik’s family, friends, middle school teacher John Davison, members of the Lynnfield Police Department, Superintendent Jane Tremblay and Middle School Principal Stephen Ralston. Cops for Kids with Cancer Board of Directors members Ed McNelley, a retired police captain, and Michael Drummy, a State Police captain, presented the generous donation to Erik and his family.

Police Chief David Breen said Cops for Kids with Cancer is “an incredible charitable nonprofit organization.”

“All of the money they take in is distributed,” said Breen. “There are no administrative fees, which is rare for charities. It’s a fantastic organization.”

Before the ceremony took place, Erik and his friends were picked up in front of LMS and they were given an escort around town that featured six police cruisers and a SWAT vehicle. Afterwards, the police contingent picked up the Bell family and brought them to Town Hall for the ceremony and a pizza party.

SIXTH GRADER Erik Bell (center) and his family were given a $5,000 check by the nonprofit organization Cops for Kids with Cancer on Nov. 16. Front row, from left, Erik and his sister Emilie. Back row, from left, Cops for Kids with Cancer Board of Directors member Ed McNelley, Board of Directors member Michael Drummy, Adrienne Bell, Matt Bell and Police Chief David Breen. (Dan Tomasello Photo)

“We had a lot of 911 calls wondering what was going on,” said Breen. “It was Erik and his friends playing with the siren. We went for a nice ride.”

“Erik, I just want to let you know that the chief said you can do this every Friday,” McNelley joked. “You can play with the siren all day.”

Breen noted LMS gave Erik “a nice sendoff” before he departed for the town tour and ceremony.

“A lot of the teachers were there,” said Breen. “It was a good time for everybody and I know Erik enjoyed it very much.”

Cops for Kids with Cancer is a nonprofit organization started by late Boston Police Captain John Dow.

“John was unfortunately suffering from cancer and while going through treatment, he saw a lot of children coming through,” said McNelley. “He said we should do something for these people and he started this organization. Since then, the organization has grown. What we do is give eight families $5,000 each every month. That is $40,000 every month. Since we have been incorporated, we have given away $3.5 million to families who have a child struggling with cancer.”

McNelley said Davison, one of Erik’s teachers at LMS, submitted the application to Cops for Kids with Cancer. He said Patrolman Jonathan Duzz helped coordinate the logistics.

“The main issue for us is the $5,000 eases the burden on the family so they can concentrate on what is important in life and that is getting Erik in good shape,” said McNelley.

After Erik and his family were presented with the $5,000 check, they were given a round of applause.

“We want to thank you so much,” said Adrienne Bell, Erik’s mom. “It has been a long road. Erik was diagnosed a year ago. I stopped working completely and he and I were in the hospital on-and-off for over five months.”

Adrienne also thanked her husband, Matt, and their daughter Emilie for the support while Erik was going through treatment.

“Matt worked in order to keep things going at home for Emilie,” said Adrienne. “He drove into Boston every night to visit us. Parking in Boston everyday for $12 a day is a lot. This is a huge help for our family, so thank you very much.”

Adrienne also thanked Davison and Duzz for the support they have provided.

“I would like to thank Mr. Davison for nominating us and Officer Duzz for helping us through this,” said Adrienne. “We really appreciate this beautiful day for Erik. Thank you.”

Breen said it was incredibly rewarding for him and his fellow officers to spend the day with Erik.

“We had a lot of fun,” said Breen. “You can take my cruiser out any time you want.”

Erik has been trying to live life to the fullest since learning that he is cancer-free.

“I have been hanging out with my friends and hanging out at home,” said Erik. “I can’t wait for ski season to start. I like to ski at Cranmore Mountain and Pats Peak.”

“He missed all of last year and he can’t wait to go this year,” added Adrienne.

Breen thanked Duzz, Captain Karl Johnson, Administrative Assistant Paul Donovan, School Resource Officer Alex Doto, Sergeant Nick Secatore and Patrolman Scott Fitzemeyer for helping give Erik and his family a special day. He also thanked MarketStreet Lynnfield General Manager Lauren Taylor and Operations Manager Brian Paglia for donating pizza and soda so the Bell family and Erik’s friends could have a pizza party in the Town Hall break room.

The police chief noted Cops for Kids with Cancer donated a $5,000 check to Lynnfield High School graduate and cancer survivor Molly Malone a year-and-a-half ago.