Daniel P. Figgins Memorial Foundation May 2009 Newsletter
On this the National Peace Officer Memorial Day, Friday May 15, 2009 we find it fitting to remember not only fallen officer's, their families and co-workers, but also those that put on the badge everyday to protect us. Thank You all!
As a reminder, National Peace Officer Memorial Day is one of 2 days in the year by Public Law 103-322, signed in 1994 that all flags are to be flown at half staff.
http://www.nleomf.org/media/press/flag09.htm
Testing
As of May 1, 2009, we have tested 110 with 40 more scheduled. Just over 50% have some type of plaque buildup in their arteries. While not all are serious, we are proud that we have made a major impact on the Departments we have talked to.
Most importantly, we have 119 on the waiting list. We anticipated receiving money from the Kane County Riverboat Fund Grant from the Kane County Board, but with the economy and other priorities, we did not receive any funding. We are submitting grant requests and funding in other areas, but also need everyone's help in fundraising ideas. PLEASE contact us for any and all ideas.
Personal Stories
Now it has been made public, here is the update on Sgt John Demmin, Elgin Police Department.
Report from his wife Joanne, also a Elgin PD Sgt. As many of you know we sent him to Heart Check America, our EBCT scanning facility, for a free heart scan provided by the Foundation and he elected to have a full body scan, where they found a fist size tumor.
Johns Update 04-03-09
On Thursday, John underwent surgery to remove his left kidney and the fist sized tumor that was growing in and outside of it.
We were originally told that the surgery would be approximately 2-3 hours at Rush in Chicago.
It really wound up being closer to 6 hours which scared the crap out of me but when I did finally get to talk to the doctor, he advised me that they got it (the kidney, tumor and ajoining adrenal gland) out and did not see any signs that it had spread anywhere. They are sending the organ for biopsy but so far, the prognosis is excellent. The Dr. (Jerome Hoeksema) stated that both the kidney and tumor were even bigger than anticipated and that is why the three urologists and laparoscopic specialist took way longer than anticipated to remove the mass.
Losing a kidney of course is no walk through the park but he is already up and out of bed, pushing fluids through on his own. He has not eaten since Wednesday night but he says that he is far more thirsty than hungry. He was told not to take any water in and that his IV would be sufficient enough to hydrate him but John was taking baby sips anyway and keeping it down just fine. He has been told by two of the army of doctors that worked on him that he might be coming home as soon as Saturday (tomorrow).
Of course he is completely stoked and probably won't get any sleep tonight at all. Thanks to all of you for keeping John and I in your thoughts and prayers. I can't help but think that all of your prayers made a difference in keeping him out of harms way. I fully recognize that there are many of you and our coworkers who have not been as fortunate and continue to fight the good fight.
The other people I'd like to publicly thank is Craig Figgins and his family for starting the Daniel Figgins Foundation which provides free heart scans to law enforcement officers with an option to upgrade to a full body scan. When the results of this test came in, we were shocked, angry and devastated. He had no symptoms, no pain, no bleeding. How could this possibly be?
In the days leading up to John's surgery, he told me that he had begun to notice throbbing pain in the left side of his back (one of the symptoms of renal carcinoma). Had he never gotten this scan we would be four months behind this process and then who knows how far this cancer would have spread?
I credit this wonderful foundation for saving my husband's life right along with the fantastic staff at Rush University Medical Center.
I can't imagine my life without John. I'd rather not even think about this. Just watching him go through this process has been excruciating. Moral of the story - we all bitch about the small things that happen throughout the day, month or year but when faced with stuff like this, none of that matters at all. It's absolutely nothing and the truth is, we are all surrounded by blessings too numerous to count. I'm fortunate enough to be married to one, be related or friends with several and work with even dozens more.
Thank you.
Joanne
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Update 5/15/09
John is already back at work on light duty, this past week I was at the station and he is looking and feeling good in his Hawaiian shirt.
Craig
Upcoming Events - Save the Date
September 5, 2009 - Kane County Sheriff's Car Show benefiting the Foundation. Location TBA soon.
Facebook
Did you know we have a Facebook Cause of over 1,900 supporters?
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/214455/35445005?m=6d54c0aa
Heart Check America
Heart Check America has lowered our cost of the scan to $200.00.
How to Donate
1. Paypal http://www.paypal.com send to
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2. Donate via Credit Card here http://www.signmeup.com/62387
3. Send Check or Money Order to:
Daniel P Figgins Memorial Foundation
PO Box 6054
Elgin, IL 60121-6054
We are a 501 (c)(3) Charity and you will receive a receipt for tax purposes.
As always, we thank you for your support at helping us meet our mission:
The mission of the Daniel P Figgins Memorial Foundation is to carry on the memory of Sgt. Daniel P Figgins and continue his service to the community by taking proactive measures to lower the heart related deaths by law enforcement officers.
We will fulfill this mission by:
Education and Awareness
Funding Heart Checks
Supporting Research at a National and Local Level
Supporting Approved Charities
The Daniel P. Figgins Memorial Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
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