Helping Hand for Deputy Mark's Cancer Fight

SARAH KENNIFF is organising this fundraising appeal on behalf of Mark Colwell.

Donation protected

I don't do well asking for anything, and I wish I didn't have to be here doing this today. But, a man who served his country with two tours in the Desert Storm conflict, and subsequently served his community for over 20 years as a Sarasota County Sheriff's Deputy, is in dire need of your help.

In February, just as he was about to embark on yet another career in law enforcement by serving with the Sarasota School Board, Mark Colwell was diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer. He has been undergoing 72 hours of chemotherapy each fortnight since his diagnosis. Today he has been hospitalized yet again, as the tumor is starting to block his stomach and esophagus.

To say this has been devastating to the family is an understatement. His wife Annmarie, who works in the Lee Memorial Healthcare System as a respiratory therapist, has no more paid time off to take. Every time she cannot work because she is accompanying Mark to various chemo and doctor visits here locally and at Moffat in Tampa, means no paycheck for the family, as Mark can no longer work. Despite this, she has been a real trooper, juggling her patient load between Mark's various treatments.

These are both very special people. In addition to his regular duties as a deputy, Mark served with the Sheriff's Office Honor Guard. Over the years Mark and Annmarie have dedicated an extraordinary amount of their own time to travel to memorial services to honor fellow fallen officers. For the longest time, Annmarie coordinated the West Florida LEO Wives organization, which provides support to fallen/sick officers' families. For years, during Law Enforcement Officers Appreciation Week, she and Mark made sure deputies were recognized by donating goody-bags to the members of various police departments/sheriff's offices in the area - just a small token to say, "Hey, we appreciate you!"

Now it's time to appreciate them. To the law enforcement community out there, please consider donating to someone who always "had your six." Any amount will help.

To those who support the military, donating what you can will provide the Colwells one less thing to worry about this week.

To the Sarasota community in general, please support the police by supporting this law enforcement family in their time of crisis.

For those who can't donate, please say a prayer. And thank you so much for taking the time to read this.