Slinging spaghetti is a sure way to bring together a community.

In the Monday edition of the Butler Eagle, we learned of a fundraising event held for Prospect Volunteer Fire Department assistant fire chief Ken Wilson.

Wilson, 51, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August, a month after his wedding. He was unable to attend the event, but was able to watch a livestream from home.

According to the American Cancer Society, the average lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer is about 1 in 64 people.

Mark Lauer, a longtime friend of Wilson’s and president of the Karns City Regional Ambulance Service, said his firefighter and paramedic friends help each other when they respond to difficult calls. The camaraderie extends to supporting one of their own through illness.

To say they are like family is true. In fact, Wilson's brother-in-law, Todd Hinkle, is assistant fire chief in Portersville. The two have been friends for decades.

“It’s very welcoming and joyful to see how many people are, you know, supporting him that have come out of the community,” said Wilson’s brother, Frank, who served as fire chief for the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department.

The community Frank talks about is not just the tight knit group of firefighters from across several departments, but all the people whose lives Ken Wilson has impacted.

Firefighters are usually the ones offering help. To see how a community responds and values one who needs their support is uplifting for all of us.

The willingness of Prospect residents to jump in and pull together a fundraiser that brought together hundreds of people with spaghetti, raffles and prayers is a testament to Wilson’s standing in the community.

We wish him good health.

– RJ