THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 16, 2026 Page 17 Hundreds come to support Drella’s family A By Tara Vocino pproximately 450 people attended the Badges for Cure fundraiser Approximately 450 people attended. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Firefighter Anthony Arone addressed the crowd. for Dana-Farber and Lt. Damian Drella, 59, who passed away from occupational cancer earlier this year, at Kowloon last Friday night. Co-Organizer Firefighter Anthony Arone said they have raised approximately $60,000 for Dana-Farber throughout the years. The police and fire unions host the event. “Damian would have been the first person to sign up,” Arone said. “His funeral had 300 people at it.” Co-Organizer Firefighter Steven Mirando said they are blessed to have this many people support the cause. Co-Organizer Officer Robert Stanley said they are glad to help out on behalf of Drella. “Hopefully, we’ll keep this going,” Stanley said. His son, Alex Drella, who Shown from left to right: State Representative Donald Wong, Anthony Arone and State Representative Jessica Giannino. Shown from left to right: Caroline, Cooper and Alex Drella. graduated from Saugus High School in 2006, said it’s a beautiful thing when a tragedy hits in the firefighting community — that everyone treats him like family. “He would be here right with us toasting a tiki,” said Alex Drella, who is a Mendon Firefighter. Daughter-in-law Caroline Drella said it’s nice to see a whole community come together for someone like Damian. She said he was a great grandfather to their son, Cooper, 4. His other son, Christian, who Son Christian Drella and his fiancée Jennifer Duby displayed a Lt. Jughead shirt for sale. Police Officer Paul Hehehan (at left) and Firefighter Brendan Henehan sold raffle tickets. is a Melrose Firefighter, said it’s unbelievable the amount of support that Saugus Fire has given him and his family. “It shows how much they loved him,” Christian Drella said. “We are forever grateful.” His fiancée Jennifer Duby, estimated that there are more than a dozen communities present. “Whenever we needed anything, Saugus helped us out,” Jennifer Duby said. Her sister, Christine Duby, said he would be proud to see the number of people who came out to support him and his sons. “We look forward to coming every year,” Christine Duby said. Action Emergency Management raised the flag. Co-Organizers Firefighter Steven Mirando (at left) and Police Officer Robert Stanley. SUPPORT | SEE PAGE 19
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