In the early part of 2007, John and Carol McGrorty were devastated when doctors told them that their son, Matthew, had a rare form of liver cancer. Matthew McGrorty was 4 years old.

John McGrorty is a Lieutenant in the 102nd Precinct, and his fellow officers quickly rallied around him. They held a blood drive for young Matthew -- and so many people responded and donated blood that hundreds of other kids benefitted. During his fight, Matthew McGrorty was almost never seen without his DVD Player -- it was his favorite thing and helped keep his mind occupied while he battled. Young Matthew fought long and hard against the cancer -- but it ultimately took his life on June 18, 2008.

That year, the NYPD held their annual golf charity tournament and over 10K was raised in Matthew's memory. Some of that money was donated for cancer research. The rest was used to purchase 100 DVD Players -- which the police then personally delivered to children undergoing treatment for cancer at the same hospital Matthew stayed at. On top of the DVD Players, they also donated hundreds of DVDs.

Lieutenant John McGrorty addresses the 102nd Precinct Community Council  

Since then, the community has also responded -- and local residents, through the 102nd Precinct Community Council, have been taking donations -- both large and small -- and recently surpassed their stated goal of raising $1000.  Here, Matthew's Dad -- Lt. John McGrorty -- speaks to the community about the drive, and his son: