Smithtown Firefighters And Mazelis Landscaping Create "Garden Of Hope" at Stony Brook Hospital

A Garden to Create Hope for Cancer Patients 

By Erica Jackson

The Cancer Unit at Stony Brook University Hospital now features an outdoor reflection area thanks to some Smithtown firefighters.

The new garden, which was recently dedicated as “The Garden of Hope”, was the culmination of work done by the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), a non-profit dedicated to providing support to firefighters across the county, who are fighting cancer. 

Serving as FCSN’s director is long-time, volunteer Smithtown firefighter Tony Cruz.  Cruz, a prostate cancer survivor, also sits on the Stony Brook University advisory board.  When he heard the hospital was looking to construct a garden outside the cancer unit, he jumped at the opportunity to help.  Cruz said he remembered that fellow 10-year, volunteer Smithtown firefighter Stephen Mazelis, who owns Mazelis Landscaping, of Smithtown, had donated services in the past so he decided to enlist him.  

Cruz went to Mazelis’ house expecting to get a little help, but before he knew it, Mazelis said he’d take care of the entire project.  “He said he’d do it for free.  I said great.”  From there, Mazelis spearheaded the project, from obtaining donated supplies from venders to providing labor for the construction.

“Tony had what he thought a difficult question to ask me, knowing that I just came off the heels of donating a complete landscape makeover to wounded hero Army Corporal Chris Levi of Holbrook,” said Mazelis.  “Coincidentally, I was just thinking to myself earlier that day, how nice it would be if I can donate one landscape a year to make a difference in someone’s life.  My answer to Tony was, ‘When do you want me to do it?”

Mazelis, whose wife is a cancer survivor, said saying ‘yes’ to donate the landscape was an “obvious answer for me.”

The new garden sits in a 60’x25’ area in front of the entrance to Stony Brook’s cancer treatment facility.  In Mazelis’ words, “A walkway strolls through the garden with three benches to sit on, allowing a direct serene view of a cascading waterfall. Plants were carefully selected to attract local birds and butterflies.  A scalloped picket fence was installed to block out the parking lot and to help create a cozy atmosphere.”

With the economy as it is, Mazelis said he could not afford to take on the entire cost of the project, so he obtained donations from landscape designer Patricia Hopkins, Bissett Nursery, Sam’s B.C, Nurseries and Victorian Fence.  

“They all made it possible for me to get the job done,” said Mazelis.  “I am fortunate to be surrounded by such vendors and friends, who have big hearts.”

“This garden is a wonderful haven for patients and staff to reflect, re-energize and perhaps find inspiration for the day,” said CEO of Stony Brook University Medical Center Steven Strongwater, M.D.  “We thank the firefighters, Cancer Support Network and Mazelis Landscape for donating the garden and benches. The resulting garden is a wonderful example of our growing ties to the community and working to be in tune with the needs of the community.”

Cruz said of the end result, “When you are told you have cancer, you feel like your power has been taken away.  This garden offers someplace where you can sit and think about what’s going on in your life, get your priorities in order and take your power back.”

Cruz intends that the garden will be used for just that purpose by cancer patients, including firefighters, who have been diagnosed with cancer.

According to Cruz, many firefighters across the county, volunteer or paid, are afflicted with cancer as a result of their work.  When going into smoky conditions, firefighters can breathe in toxic fumes that can eventually develop into cancer.  Also, he said, there are so many times that firefighters, when overhauling, pull down ceilings that contain pipes that are wrapped in asbestos.  “Particles, will come down from the ceiling, be digested and develop into cancer,” said Cruz.

Cruz said aside from providing support, FCSN reaches out to provide safety education to firefighters.  For example, Cruz said his organization teaches firefighters to properly clean and store bunker gear.  “We tell them never to bring fire gear into living areas or into their car or trunk where it can contaminate someone.”