Local Firefighter - Great friend. Brian Conway

Hey guys,

With Brian's "Twitter" permission, I have started this gofundme account. Twitter is a life long resident of Flomaton, AL, and a graduate of Flomaton High School. He has been a member of Flomaton Fire & Rescue almost 25 years.

Twitter has recently been diagnosed with a complicated lung infection and will require some long-term treatment. He is not contagious, so please don't run from him, ha!

Twitter is "that guy" that will stop everything to help someone in need. This has been exemplified in his 20+ years of Fire & Rescue volunteerism. But his service to his family, friends and community goes much deeper than just Fire & Rescue service. He has helped each of us at some point in our lives.

On to the story:

Twitter works full-time for the Escambia County Road and Bridges Department. He has great medical benefits. But no matter what your insurance is there are copays, deductibles, travel expenses, etc.

Now to the diagnosis - treatment, there has been extensive testing to conclude a diagnosis. Twitter will miss at least two weeks of work for Phase 1 of treatment. He has already missed several days for specialist appointments and diagnostic testing. He will have to travel to Fort Walton Beach, FL every other day for the first 14 days. He does have enough sick leave and vacation to cover the two weeks (just being transparent). Treatment started on August 4, 2023.

(UPDATE 8/20 Brian’s infusions have been extended another 10 days. He will miss at least 1.5 more weeks of work. But likely more as the infusion could be extended again at his follow up in 10 days.)

He will have a PICC line up to one year, depending on how Phase 1 of treatment goes. So more missed work is highly likely and expected.

Imagine having a complicated lung infection this time of year and working in this HEAT., trying to breathe. Well, Twitter does for 40 hours every week with the county. Because he has to and he is not a quitter or complainer and has to maintain his medical benefits. Except while he is receiving treatment or has the PICC line because of risks of infection to the line. He will be out of work until it's removed at a minimum.

He will be required to wear a device called a Smartvest twice daily for 30 - 60 minutes to break up mucus in his lungs for the remainder of his life. His copay for this device is $2100.00. His diagnosis is non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

But to complicate this to the extreme, his AC (HVAC) at home is broken. It's been evaluated and requires a new inside and outside unit. Quotes have been received and is ~$6,700.00. He has an AC for his bedroom (window) and did have two units for part of his house but one of those just died. It's generally about 84-86 degrees in his house every day with the heat wave we have been having. Plus running window units this time of year just drives the power bill even higher.

(Update 8/20 thanks to two generous donations and the help of Buds Refrigeration Service we had the units installed Friday 8/18. The remaining balance is $4900.00)

So altogether he has surpassed $10,000 that he will be responsible for in the coming weeks on a county salary. These bills alone will add up to 25-50% of his annual salary.

Brian has not asked for help. He is as he always is, just making it work. As his friend, I am asking for help, for him! He has given so much of himself to all of us for many many years. He has not stopped. He continues to keep giving. I feel that as a community if we could just give a little back. It has already been paid forward by him, but as he always does.... he will continue to give.

-Jeremy