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Friends helping Florence firefighter battling cancer

Posted at 9:13 AM, Dec 14, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-14 11:13:32-05

MISSOULA – A former high school science teacher and family man, has spent the last 25 years fighting fires but now faces an even more challenging battle.

While on an assignment in California, 56-year-old firefighter Ed Lynn from Florence began exhibiting symptoms of a stroke.

Ed was admitted to the hospital and what doctors originally believed was a tick bite turned out to be an inoperable cancerous brain tumor.

He is undergoing treatment in a California hospital but should be able to return to Montana by the end of the month.

Aerial Fire Depot Administrative Assistant Stacy Cramer told MTN News that he’s an excellent firefighter and an even better person.

“He’s one of those guys who he can walk into a room and everyone starts laughing and smiling. And I think a lot of that has to do with his family as well. He’s very family oriented,” Cramer said.

“Overall, I think everyone [thinks that it] sucks that this is happening to him because he such a great guy to be around. I think it’s really hit the smoke-jumper community as well as the fire community pretty hard,” said Cramer.

Friends will be hosting a live auction benefit for Ed and his family on Friday. The event is open to the public but you must RSVP or you cannot attend. Call (406) 329-4934 for more information.