Jim Pearson Medical Fund

I’m going out on a limb here asking for help for a dear friend whom I have come to love like a brother since we started working together 7 years ago for ILEAS. For a couple years, unbeknownst to me, this soft spoken man named Jim Pearson, held a side that his new coworkers didn’t know. It wasn’t until friendly chats revealed the true character of the man behind that smile and gentle demeanor. 27 year veteran of the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office and 5 years as the ILEAS Region 6/7 WMD/SRT (Tactical team) and force behind the founding of the Central Illinois Emergency Response Team.  A man among men and greatly respected by his peers and by those who worked under and beside him. In the past 7 years, I have seen him struggle with financial burdens from a myriad of things such as multiple college loan debts for his fam to an ever mounting pile of bills from multiple medical issues. His health has declined a lot in the 7 years I have known him and it breaks my heart to see him in constant pain. The crowning touch came back in late April. Jim was attending a dog hunt where his daughter was showcasing her dogs in the field. Jim was being transported around on the back of a 4 wheeler by another attendee. One of his daughter's show dogs took off unexpectedly and in the ensuing recovery attempt, Jim fell off the back of the 4 wheeler and subsequently broke his collar bone. He sought medical attention and was told he could grin and bear it for 12 weeks in a sling and loaded with pain or pay his portion of the insurance deductible ($7000) which he does not have. He has stuck with it his decision and been in constant pain since that date. This week the doctors told him that the break is not healing and he will have to undergo the expensive surgery anyway. I want to help him past this surgery and help offset the bills that will accompany it. As a very proud man, he will likely be upset over my appeal as he would never ever ask for it himself. Please consider giving a few bucks for a man who has dedicated his life to public service and worried daily if he’s doing enough to continue doing so. Thanks in advance for your help.