More than 100 people assembled at the Mahopac Falls Fire Department Saturday to watch wildlife rehabilitator Lisa Acton release a red-tailed hawk from a cage into nature.
The 8-month-old hawk was found near death along a Cold Spring roadside and brought to fellow rehabilitator Susie Gilbert, who nursed the raptor back to health by tube-feeding it around the clock for days.
Acton and Gilbert were successful in their efforts, and as the bird gained strength, it reminded Acton of the struggle of Ty Louis Campbell. Also known as 'SuperTy,' the 5-year-old son of one of Acton's high school classmates is battling cancer and fighting for his life.
The hawk's release also served as a fundraiser to benefit the Ty Louis Campbell Foundation, which supports pediatric cancer research and support to families of children with cancer.
"I felt that they were both struggling so hard, their fights to survive are so similar" Acton said.
For more information on Ty's battle, check out his mother's moving blog.
