Veteran and retired police Sergeant battling cancer

My name is Keith Malec, and I met Don Swiatkowski in 2010 while both our boys were attending the same school. Because of our boys having special needs and you tend to feel like you are on an island, we became fast friends and ultimately brothers. I soon learned that Don was a lifelong civil servant, having been in the United States Air Force, and then working as a Sergeant in the Royal Oak Police Dept. Within days of our meeting, Don had asked how he could get involved with our then Autism organization, Friends of Jacob Foundation. Don later became the board President and helped raise over $400k for families in SE Michigan and support equipment for schools. Don is married to Lee, and they have 2 boys, one currently in college and one with special needs at home. He's one of, if not the most selfless, caring individual I've ever met! The hardest working, never complaining, always happy and willing to lend a hand to anyone type of guy. He's a wonderful provider and an amazing father, husband and friend.

Since his retirement from the police department, Don went back to work full time to continue to protect and serve as a civil servant, and in 2021 was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and although a huge setback, he beat it. Well, fast forward to December 2023, and after several emergency trips to the hospital, Don was unfortunately diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) which is near several vital organs. It was also during this time that he got pancreatitis from one of the procedures done in the hospital to diagnose the cancer, where he spent almost two weeks recovering. He has been receiving treatment at the University of Michigan since February and he and Lee will be traveling out of state to a specialty cancer center as part of their care plan, which we are confident will provider greater vision into his treatment.

With the past, and mounting medical bills, combined with the travel expenses, and working part time, I don't feel that this family should endure these expenses on their own. Don has served his country, his state, and the people in our community all his adult life because he chose to serve. Now it's time for US to SERVE his family and make life just a little easier by taking some of the burden off their shoulders. Please help me by donating whatever you can, your donation will mean so much to everyone who knows him.

couple of things requested by Go Fund Me to note:

- name and relationship to the person you’re raising money for- Keith Malec - dear friend to Don and his family for many years.

- How the donations will be spent - Donations will be used to pay for medical bills, household bills, and associated travel for treatment out of state.

- How you plan to get the donations from the fundraiser to the intended recipient- Don’s wife, Lee Swiatkowski is an administrator on this page and is setting up the transfer information to revive the funds directly as requested by Go Fund Me.

Thank you all so much!