Son of Collier County Sheriff’s Office employee fights rare cancer

11-year-old Dominick Nino is fighting a rare form of Leukemia at Golisano Children’s Hospital. But, luckily, he’s not fighting alone. Lights from the cruisers of Collier County Sheriff’s deputies and trucks of firefighters showed up at the hospital.

This is something Dominick and his family will never forget.

The bond between deputies is like the bond between siblings, according to Christian Nino, Dominick’s father. “It means a lot to see someone in uniform do something for a brother or sister,” said Christian.

The son of this Collier County Sheriff’s Office employee is battling Leukemia. Christian says finding out about his son was really hard.

“It was very heartbreaking it was very shocking,” Christian said.

Luckily, for Christian’s son and his family, Dominick doesn’t have to go through this difficult time alone. Firefighters and deputies came to help.

“Once all patrol cars came in, he goes that’s a ‘lot of people,'” said Christian. “They are here to show you support.”

On Tuesday night, deputies from the Collier and Lee County Sheriff’s Offices and the Iona-McGregor Fire Department showed up and lit up to support Dominick and his family.

“He was very excited to see the drone and helicopter. he saw the helicopter do the fly-by. he thought it was awesome and so cool,” Christian said. One after another, they gave him fist bumps through the wind at Golisano Children’s Hospital. “He said hi to everyone that way.”

This is a night the family says they’ll never forget, especially after the year they’ve had. “It’s been a tough year and a half for everyone with COVID and for them to do this and show support, it meant a lot to our family,” said Christian.

Everyone says they’re trying to be strong for Dominick. “We are trying to be strong for him. He’s been very strong,” said Christian.

Dominick will get another biopsy at the end of the month to see if he’s back in remission. After that, he’ll receive a transplant. Christian says his nine-year-old daughter is a match and will be the donor.