Frank M. Potanka Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2012 by Frank Potanka’s family. Frank’s daughter Kristen is a 2010 graduate of Ramapo College. When they created the award, the Potanka family wrote, “Frank M. Potanka was a loving father, husband, and firefighter. He was a brave and courageous family man who worked hard at United Parcel Service for over 25 years to provide for his family. Frank not only loved helping his family but helping the community as well. In addition to work, he was committed to the Wanaque Fire Department as past Assistant Chief, Treasurer of the Exempt and Relief Association and Life Member in the New Jersey State Fireman’s Association.
In 1992 Frank was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. With two children under the age of seven he knew he needed to fight to make it through this battle. He went through six months of chemotherapy, and in 1993 a bone marrow transplant. Frank was said to be cancer-free for the next 17 years.
In 2008 the doctors found that the cancer had returned in a rare form called MDS as well as the Hodgkin lymphoma. During this time Kristen was a junior at Ramapo College. Frank began to undergo more high dose chemotherapy treatments. The doctors told Frank he would need another bone marrow transplant. No one in his family was a match for the transplant. A year long search for another donor began. Kristen hosted a bone marrow drive at Ramapo College to help find a match for her dad as well as others who were in need of a match.
Shortly after, Frank had found a donor and was able to have his second bone marrow transplant. During this time, Frank was unable to work his full time job at UPS and financial issues arose with Kristen attending Ramapo College. Frank and his family worked with Ramapo and were able to have Kristen still attend Ramapo College. After the transplant, the doctors found the cancer had spread even further. Frank’s cancer spread to his back, blood and brain.
On January 11, 2011 Frank passed away after fighting five types of cancer over the course of 19 years. His fighting willpower kept him motivated to push through all of the hard times.
“ ‘People are always asking me how it is that firefighters run into a burning building when everyone else is running out. Courage is the answer.’ (Captain Mike Kennedy in the movie, Ladder 49)
Courage was Frank M. Potanka.”