My name is Matt and I am here today to talk about an amazing friend, father, husband, coach, and follower of God. Brett Karwowski is currently a firefighter for the City of Dearborn Heights , with prior service in the communities of Northville and Inkster with over 28 years of service. Over the years, Brett has served many different roles within the fire service, but most currently, is holding the position of pump operator. For those of you that don’t know Brett, he is one of the most positive, honest, dedicated, and hard-working men I have ever met.

Brett and his wife Kelly have 4 wonderful children, ages of 18,16,13 and 8. There home is full of love, laughter, closeness and faith

As some of you may know, Brett was diagnosed with testicular cancer that metastasized into the retroperitoneal lymph nodes in and around his whole abdomen in May '22. After having surgery and receiving many rounds of aggressive radiation for 7 weeks everyday , due to the amount lymph nodes infected with cancer in and around his whole abdomen …..they managed to stop it. He was then required to have body CTs every 3 months for the first year , then every 4 months for the next year and then 1 scan a year for 5 years. This was the first 1-year scan on March 4th……However, he did not get a clean result as he and his family hoped and expected. It shows that there are significantly enlarged lymph nodes in the abdomen, chest and a large mass at the base of his esophagus leading into the stomach.

Brett’s next step required him to have a biopsy/surgery by which they went down his esophagus to see the exact location of these cancerous tumors and see if it is the same type , and possibly esophageal cancer on April 13th

On April 16th, Brett and his family received the results, confirming that this is the same type as before, and growing extremely fast and has spread up into his chest lymph nodes, and along his esophagus as well.

The next step for the Karwowskis was to meet with a Chemotherapy specialist-hematologist/Oncologist on April 20th to discuss a treatment plan, to attack this aggressively growing cancer, Brett will have to go through multiple months of very heavy doses of chemotherapy, starting in the next couple weeks, after getting a picc line placed and pre screening blood and lung tests prior to starting treatment

This is not a life style cause of cancer, this is a job related cause , as this is the NUMBER ONE CANCER among firefighters……. A sacrifice some may have endured for services in the communities they serve and protect….. and Brett has protected, served AND SAVED so many over his years of service

This has been a very devastating and overwhelming time for the Karwowski family…. As cancer is , but a second time to have to go through this process, is a crushing blow to every emotion, family and life

With all this devastating news , I’m asking for your help … to please help this family in a extremely difficult and sensitive time in there life , as this family is still recovering from the first go around with this devastating disease, as it took it’s toll in every aspect of there life

Along with Brett’s many years of service as a firefighter, he is always working a second job on his off days, with long hours , night shifts , dirty jobs , humbly putting pride aside , and putting his family’s needs above his own

I’m asking you to please give what you can , as Brett will not be able to work due to the line of work he does , as a paramedic and firefighter and the environment and people he comes in contact with

I believe it goes with out saying ….. it’s a small sacrifice for you to give ….. when he have given SO MUCH …..