Skip to content
BACK to News

Philadelphia Firefighter with Glioblastoma Blazes Ahead for Research

A woman leans against a red truck with Battalion Chief emblazoned on it.

Credit: Clem Murray / The Philadelphia Inquirer

Sirens blared as firefighters descended upon Philadelphia Energy Solutions, the largest gasoline refinery complex on the East Coast, following a series of explosions in June 2019. Linda Long joined more than 100 Philadelphia firefighters to combat the blaze that took more than 24 hours to extinguish. 

“I got injured at work at the refinery explosion about three years ago,” Linda said. “I had trouble breathing for a year, and then I just started feeling dizzy all the time.”

A physical by Linda’s primary care physician followed by a plethora of tests did not turn up any explanation for her symptoms. She turned to an ear, nose, and throat doctor at Penn Medicine to determine what was at the root of her balance issues, headaches, and fatigue. The doctor sent Linda to undergo an MRI in March 2021, which finally pinpointed the cause — a brain tumor.

Linda’s health team resected her tumor over two surgeries six weeks apart. At the time, they determined it was glioblastoma and gave her less than a year to live. 

“I’ve had a couple more MRIs since chemo ended in April 2022, and nothing is growing, so my oncologist hopes I have at least five more years with Optune [a wearable, portable, FDA-approved treatment for glioblastoma].”

Firefighters Start Race for Hope Philadelphia Fundraising Team

Linda joined the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1990 as a paramedic, working her way up the ladder for 15 years before deciding to start over as a cadet in the fire academy. She quickly made an impression, receiving promotion after promotion until she became the first female battalion chief of the Philadelphia Fire Department in 2017.

A male firefighter walks up the stairs with his hand up as if he's about to remove his yellow helmet.
Firefighter Will Tung

A fellow paramedic-turned-firefighter, Will Tung, formed a close friendship with Linda.

“Linda was one of the instructors when I was in the academy in 2012 — a very, very good instructor,” Will said. “We’ve been in contact ever since. I’m now a lieutenant with the fire department.”

Following Linda’s diagnosis, colleagues kept reaching out to Will, wanting to find a way to help. Will asked Linda whether he could start a GoFundMe page, and she declined. Instead, she suggested that Will form a Race for Hope Philadelphia team to raise money for brain tumor research.

“I said maybe we could start a team and raise money for cancer because, honestly, a lot of firefighters get cancer,” Linda explained.

A pair of firefighters participate in the 2022 Race for Hope Philadelphia event, benefiting the National Brain Tumor Society.
Will and Linda at the 2022 Race for Hope Philadelphia

It’s why Linda’s co-workers joined the PFD Brain Team at the 2022 Race for Hope Philadelphia and will participate once again at the 2023 event to raise funds in her honor. The event takes place at Navy Yard, one of Linda’s coverage areas when she worked as an EMS officer.

“Unfortunately, I knew a paramedic who died of glioblastoma several years ago as well as too many firefighters and paramedics who died of other types of cancer during my career,” Linda said. “It makes me super happy that something positive is being done in my name.”

Race for Hope Philadelphia

Help drive discoveries and make lasting change by participating in the upcoming Race for Hope Philadelphia on Oct. 14, 2023, or donating to Linda and Will’s fundraising efforts. Events like Race for Hope Philadelphia help bring the brain tumor community together to honor, learn, develop meaningful relationships, and fuel momentum for our cause.

Register Today Donate To Their page

This blog post was last updated on Aug. 17, 2023.

Stay Informed & Connected