By Ann Marie Barron
Staten Island Advance
NEW YORK — William Negron is usually the one responding to medical emergencies, but now the caring and compassionate Staten Island paramedic finds himself facing his own life-altering medical battle after tumors were discovered in his liver.
Negron, 55, who has worked as a paramedic for Northwell Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze since 2007, has spent more than 31 years working on an ambulance during his career, serving both the private sector and hospital-based EMS systems.
“Throughout his career, he has been known as a reliable, hardworking and genuinely kind person — someone who gets along with everyone and is always there when others need help,” said Jack Chapman, his friend and longtime coworker, who has organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to help Negron with mounting medical costs. Thus far, $3,525 has been raised of the $18,000 goal.
Negron, 55, lives in New Dorp with his wife, Suzanne. He’s had medical problems since infancy from a blood transfusion he received shortly after birth and has monitored his health carefully his entire life.
Bloodwork during 2025 confirmed the presence of cancer, Chapman said. After undergoing radiation treatments at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan and receiving good news, another tumor was recently found.
Negron now faces more treatments and may need a liver transplant, Chapman said.
“The weight of that possibility has been incredibly difficult to carry,” Chapman said in the GoFundMe post.
Negron, he said, is a model paramedic.
“He’s a friendly face; he does what he can to help people,” Chapman said. ”He’s one of those people who goes above and beyond. He’s just a really good guy. He’s got plenty of reasons not to be happy, but you’d never know it.”
While Negron has been approved for the Family Medical Leave Act to protect his job and allow him to miss work as needed, he has quickly exhausted his PTO and sick time, resulting in significantly reduced income while everyday expenses continue to build, Chapman said.
“We are asking for your support to help ease this financial burden during an incredibly difficult time,” Chapman said on the GoFundMe page. ”Any donation will help allow him to focus on his health and recovery, and is greatly appreciated.”
Negron was appreciative when approached about the GoFundMe, Chapman said, noting that, though his friend isn’t currently undergoing radiation treatments, he’s often too sick to work, resulting in a significant loss of pay.
Chapman said Negron is deserving of support from others.
“He’s always there to help people and do what he can for them,’' Chapman said.
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