Darrin Reichel
Donation protected
This account was created by friends and family of Darrin.
Darrin was born in the State of Washington and moved to Northern California as a teenager. It was Darrin's dream to become a police officer, just as his great-grandfather and father did. In 1992, Darrin was hired by Chico Police Department after he spent 2 years as a reserve officer for them. Darrin spent the remaining 22 years as an officer, protecting the streets of the community he also lived in.
In 2010, Darrin married his beautiful bride and best friend, Kelly. The two of them enjoy spending time being outdoors, going on coffee dates, working out, and living a healthy lifestyle together.
In September of 2012, Darrin suffered a bite on his arm from a police K-9 during a building search. It was a very rare incident, but that along with a back injury caused Darrin to medically retire, long before he ever thought he would. Darrin recovered enough to be able to work part time doing odd jobs since his retirement.
On February 1, 2017, after experiencing some groin pain, and tenderness, and as a precautionary procedure, Darrin had one testicle removed. Pathology revealed the presence of metastatic cancer cells, but not cells associated with testicular cancer. The cells were indicative of colon, intestinal, or other digestive track cancers, and are seldom found in the testicle. The following week, a tumor was identified in Darrin's stomach, the pathology of which matched that found in the testicle.
Coincidently, just 10 days earlier, Darrin and Kelly signed up for Aflac insurance. They bought the accident plan along with the cancer plan since there has been a couple of family members diagnosed with cancer in the distant past. When Darrin called Aflac to learn about how the cancer policy works, they were devistated to learn that the policy had to be in effect for 30 days before cancer benefits were eligible. They had missed cancer insurance by less than a month.
After learning that stomach cancer in the United States is very rare, they wanted a second opinion. After consulting with oncologists and surgeons, to include experts at Stanford, the course of treatment being pursued is very aggressive chemotherapy, to be followed by further testing. In a matter of days, Darrin completed chemo education and had the "port" placed in his chest. This was a surgical procedure for the device which would be the venue to carry the chemo into his blood stream. Without any delay, Darrin started chemo the following day.
There has been very little time for Darrin and Kelly to absorb the gravity of this abrupt turn in life. To say it simply, their lives have been turned upside down in just a matter of weeks.
Every two weeks, Darrin goes to Feather River Cancer Center for his chemo infusions, which last 4-6 hours. After the chemo has been delivered, he leaves with a portable pump which continues to pump more chemo in him for an additional 46 hours, after which, is removed. This process will continue for several months followed by further testing.
Since the start of chemo, Darrin has had to stop working and immediately is living the life of a cancer patient. The effects of chemo keep him from having his skin exposed to sunlight. He has to keep his body temperature regulated, no extreme temperatures and is very sensative to cold foods and liquids. Sleep is hit and miss, and of course, is experiencing the extreme nausea that comes with this strong chemo treatment.
Already, Darrin and Kelly have had their income cut and bills are starting to pile up. Several of the procedures Darrin has already undergone required payment up front, which came directly out of their savings account. That account is now nearly gone and the road ahead of them is still long.
We know it's hard for Darrin to be medically retired, as he still has a passion for the job and serving his community. In looking back at his career, Darrin spent most of his time in patrol. He was a bicycle officer, a detective, and a field training officer. Two areas of police work Darrin was passionate about was mobile field force and defensive tactics.
Darrin wanted to make sure all officers in the department had the necessary equipment to safely deal with civil unrest incidents (riots). Darrin researched crowd control equipment and developed a system to ensure all current and future officers had the necessary equipment to be safe during a riot. The department really didn't have a mobile field force team, that is, until Darrin got involved in that concept. Along with getting the department to purchase all new equipment, he designed the trailer and also did all the work inside the trailer to ensure the equipment could be stored in an organized fashion and made sure the equipment could be brought to a scene without delay.
Darrin was instrumental in facilitating the mat room that officers currently train in defensive tactics. The room was old and delapidated, but through renovation and donations, became an incredible training room we still use today. Many people don't know that Darrin spent many weeks of his off-duty time painting and customizing the mat room. He painted, installed an incredible stereo system (his own that he donatated), made the room smart ready for powerpoint and other presentations. Darrin facilitated a customized wall placard depicting a fellow police officer and friend, Lance Utterback, who passed away from cancer. In honor of him, that placard is proudly displayed on the front wall of the training room. This is not at all surprising to all of us who know Darrin, because Darrin is a loving and passionate person who puts 100% of himself into his family, friends, and work.
This situation with cancer is all too familiar for Darrin. In 2003, Lance Utterback was diagnosed with cancer. Darrin took it upon himself to be at Lance's side during the entire ordeal. Darrin took time off work and moved into a trailer on Lance's property. Darrin raised money for Lance's wife and children and facilitated a much needed new roof for Lance's house. Being the handiman that Darrin is, he helped with replacing the septic system, ran power to the barn, fixed the tac room, painted their fence and repaired a damaged road leading to their residence,
It doesn't stop there. Darrin helped get power and water on the family's property so Lance's parents could move on their 10-acre parcel. Family was important to Lance just as it is to Darrin. It was Lance's dream to take the family to Disneyland one last time while he was healthy enough. Darrin obatined a motorhome and drove the entire family to southern California to help make that dream come true. Then, Darrin's help turned to guidence as he helped plan his funeral, helped pick out a bural plot, and worked out life's details with the family for his passing. Darrin was there, day and night, for months helping a friend through the hardest times imaginable for a husband and father, dealing with terminal cancer. Sadly, about 6 months later, Lance passed away with family and friends at his side. Darrin was instrumental during Lance's funeral. As one friend put it, it was an epic selfless act by an incredibe person that never asked for anything in return.
After Darrin has served our community for over 2 decades, this is a chance for us to help him. We are very grateful for your love and support. We ask that you continue to pray for them and the journey they are on.
Darrin was born in the State of Washington and moved to Northern California as a teenager. It was Darrin's dream to become a police officer, just as his great-grandfather and father did. In 1992, Darrin was hired by Chico Police Department after he spent 2 years as a reserve officer for them. Darrin spent the remaining 22 years as an officer, protecting the streets of the community he also lived in.
In 2010, Darrin married his beautiful bride and best friend, Kelly. The two of them enjoy spending time being outdoors, going on coffee dates, working out, and living a healthy lifestyle together.
In September of 2012, Darrin suffered a bite on his arm from a police K-9 during a building search. It was a very rare incident, but that along with a back injury caused Darrin to medically retire, long before he ever thought he would. Darrin recovered enough to be able to work part time doing odd jobs since his retirement.
On February 1, 2017, after experiencing some groin pain, and tenderness, and as a precautionary procedure, Darrin had one testicle removed. Pathology revealed the presence of metastatic cancer cells, but not cells associated with testicular cancer. The cells were indicative of colon, intestinal, or other digestive track cancers, and are seldom found in the testicle. The following week, a tumor was identified in Darrin's stomach, the pathology of which matched that found in the testicle.
Coincidently, just 10 days earlier, Darrin and Kelly signed up for Aflac insurance. They bought the accident plan along with the cancer plan since there has been a couple of family members diagnosed with cancer in the distant past. When Darrin called Aflac to learn about how the cancer policy works, they were devistated to learn that the policy had to be in effect for 30 days before cancer benefits were eligible. They had missed cancer insurance by less than a month.
After learning that stomach cancer in the United States is very rare, they wanted a second opinion. After consulting with oncologists and surgeons, to include experts at Stanford, the course of treatment being pursued is very aggressive chemotherapy, to be followed by further testing. In a matter of days, Darrin completed chemo education and had the "port" placed in his chest. This was a surgical procedure for the device which would be the venue to carry the chemo into his blood stream. Without any delay, Darrin started chemo the following day.
There has been very little time for Darrin and Kelly to absorb the gravity of this abrupt turn in life. To say it simply, their lives have been turned upside down in just a matter of weeks.
Every two weeks, Darrin goes to Feather River Cancer Center for his chemo infusions, which last 4-6 hours. After the chemo has been delivered, he leaves with a portable pump which continues to pump more chemo in him for an additional 46 hours, after which, is removed. This process will continue for several months followed by further testing.
Since the start of chemo, Darrin has had to stop working and immediately is living the life of a cancer patient. The effects of chemo keep him from having his skin exposed to sunlight. He has to keep his body temperature regulated, no extreme temperatures and is very sensative to cold foods and liquids. Sleep is hit and miss, and of course, is experiencing the extreme nausea that comes with this strong chemo treatment.
Already, Darrin and Kelly have had their income cut and bills are starting to pile up. Several of the procedures Darrin has already undergone required payment up front, which came directly out of their savings account. That account is now nearly gone and the road ahead of them is still long.
We know it's hard for Darrin to be medically retired, as he still has a passion for the job and serving his community. In looking back at his career, Darrin spent most of his time in patrol. He was a bicycle officer, a detective, and a field training officer. Two areas of police work Darrin was passionate about was mobile field force and defensive tactics.
Darrin wanted to make sure all officers in the department had the necessary equipment to safely deal with civil unrest incidents (riots). Darrin researched crowd control equipment and developed a system to ensure all current and future officers had the necessary equipment to be safe during a riot. The department really didn't have a mobile field force team, that is, until Darrin got involved in that concept. Along with getting the department to purchase all new equipment, he designed the trailer and also did all the work inside the trailer to ensure the equipment could be stored in an organized fashion and made sure the equipment could be brought to a scene without delay.
Darrin was instrumental in facilitating the mat room that officers currently train in defensive tactics. The room was old and delapidated, but through renovation and donations, became an incredible training room we still use today. Many people don't know that Darrin spent many weeks of his off-duty time painting and customizing the mat room. He painted, installed an incredible stereo system (his own that he donatated), made the room smart ready for powerpoint and other presentations. Darrin facilitated a customized wall placard depicting a fellow police officer and friend, Lance Utterback, who passed away from cancer. In honor of him, that placard is proudly displayed on the front wall of the training room. This is not at all surprising to all of us who know Darrin, because Darrin is a loving and passionate person who puts 100% of himself into his family, friends, and work.
This situation with cancer is all too familiar for Darrin. In 2003, Lance Utterback was diagnosed with cancer. Darrin took it upon himself to be at Lance's side during the entire ordeal. Darrin took time off work and moved into a trailer on Lance's property. Darrin raised money for Lance's wife and children and facilitated a much needed new roof for Lance's house. Being the handiman that Darrin is, he helped with replacing the septic system, ran power to the barn, fixed the tac room, painted their fence and repaired a damaged road leading to their residence,
It doesn't stop there. Darrin helped get power and water on the family's property so Lance's parents could move on their 10-acre parcel. Family was important to Lance just as it is to Darrin. It was Lance's dream to take the family to Disneyland one last time while he was healthy enough. Darrin obatined a motorhome and drove the entire family to southern California to help make that dream come true. Then, Darrin's help turned to guidence as he helped plan his funeral, helped pick out a bural plot, and worked out life's details with the family for his passing. Darrin was there, day and night, for months helping a friend through the hardest times imaginable for a husband and father, dealing with terminal cancer. Sadly, about 6 months later, Lance passed away with family and friends at his side. Darrin was instrumental during Lance's funeral. As one friend put it, it was an epic selfless act by an incredibe person that never asked for anything in return.
After Darrin has served our community for over 2 decades, this is a chance for us to help him. We are very grateful for your love and support. We ask that you continue to pray for them and the journey they are on.
Organizer and beneficiary
Todd Lefkowitz
Organizer
Chico, CA
Kelly Reichel
Beneficiary
