Help Gerry Hine & family cover medical expenses

I'm reaching out to the Law Enforcement community as well as the greater community in general to humbly ask for help with significant upcoming medical expenses for my best friend and former brother in blue, Gerry.

Gerry is a long time resident of Florence, Oregon and served as a Reserve Officer with the Florence Police Department from 1999 to 2015. He left the department in 2015 after a diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease which prevented him from fulfilling his duties as an Officer. Gerry has struggled since his initial diagnosis with multiple complications but still worked seven days a week eight or more hours each day to provide for his wife, Aurea, of 26 years and three daughters. I had the opportunity to work with Gerry as an Officer with the Florence Police Department from 2001 to 2006. It was an honor to serve with Gerry and learn from him. His kind and fair demeanor, level head and humanistic approach to Law Enforcement was always an inspiration which has led to our 19 friendship . He was and still is an asset and inspiration to myself and the Florence community. 

Three weeks ago, Gerry visited his doctor for help with the complications resulting from his Degenerative Disc Disease. While he has lived with numbness and pain in his leg and arm since his initial diagnosis, he thought he was seeing his doctor for assistance with those worsening symptoms. Instead, a CT Scan revealed a far more serious issue and Gerry was told he would need C3-4 anterior cervical discectomy, osteophytectomy and arthrodesis (fusion) and plating as soon as possible. The CT Scan showed that his spine was so severely damaged that a simple slip or fall could have resulted in his death. Gerry has spent the last few weeks getting his affairs in order, working with his medical insurance and applying for additional medical assistance through the State of Oregon. Luckily he was approved for the surgery through his medical insurance provider and for additional assistance through the state. But because of the nature of this surgery and the necessary in-hospital care coupled with his at-home aftercare, Gerry and his family are still looking at approximately $25,000 in out of pocket expenses. 

Not having the surgery is not an option as his doctor has assured him that his spine is so fragile, even a small amount of trauma (like a slip or fall) will result in his death. So Gerry is scheduled for the surgery tomorrow 11/30/2020 and our hopes and prayers are with him and his family for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. 

All donations will go directly to help Gerry and his family cover his upcoming medical expenses and after care. All donations of any size are a blessing to him and his family and greatly appreciated.

I thank you for the time you took to read this and hear Gerry's story and for your consideration to help my friend in his time of need.