<div>Tamara aka Tammi Arthur has been a dispatcher for 22 years.  In that time, she has worked to protect the citizens and emergency responders in Isle of Wight, Surry and Suffolk.  Tammi has dedicated her whole life to serving others not only in 911 dispatch but also as a volunteer at Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad. 
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<div>She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016.  She had a mastectomy removing one breast, and received chemotherapy to treat cancer.  She often traveled to Pennsylvania to get expert care to save her life.  In addition to the cancer treatments, she underwent a total hysterectomy as a part of the treatment for breast cancer.  Throughout this all, she continued to work between treatments.  Sometimes she was sick just from efforts to beat cancer, yet she never complained and continued to serve others.  Tammi ultimately beat cancer and was in remission.  However, in September 2022, she started to get sick with what she thought was a respiratory infection.  Tammi worked only seven days in September and eventually ended up being rushed to Riverside via ambulance near the end of September.  There she was told she had fluid around the heart and would have to undergo an operation to remove the fluid.  She was left on a ventilator following surgery for a day.  She was in the hospital for over a week and then released home.  Soon after being discharged, she was taken back to Riverside for difficulty breathing and was found to have blood clots in both lungs due to her previous hospital admission.  Tammi was sent home again and thought she was on the road to recovery, but that road took a detour back to the hospital, where they found more fluid, this time around the lungs and heart.  They drained the liquid off the lungs and sent the fluid off for pathology.  The news that returned was devastating; the fluid showed breast cancer cells! 
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<div>Tammi has been hospitalized at VCU for 2 weeks.  As previously mentioned, she has not worked since September.  Her husband's missed work due to her illness makes their income limited.  She has shared that she is now two months behind on her mortgage and other bills.  The last thing she needs to worry about is whether she will lose her home, her power will be cut off or where her next meal will come from. 
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<div>I am asking for any donation to help ease the burden during this difficult time. Tammi has always jumped in to help others, and it’s our turn to help her. 
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Medical bills and everyday expenses

On November 1st our lives changed forever.  My beautiful daughter who has already been through so much in her life and being a single mom of a 7 year old daughter and 20 year old son with autism found out she had 3rd stage Vulvar Cancer.  I knew she was strong and would get through this but her life has changed forever.  She cannot work due to the treatments and burns she has received from all the radiation.  She was on FMLA at her employer but as soon as the 12 weeks was up they got rid of her and most likely cannot return to work until August or September.  She has been without pay since November since her employer did not provide short term disability.  <br /><br />It has been extremely tough for my daughter and her children and we thank God everyday for the people that have helped her out.  Now she is really struggling since her employer had dropped her and now as of March 31st she will have no insurance.  <br /><br />I just want the best for my little girl and her two amazing children but I cannot help since my husband and I are retired and on a fixed income.  I would never ask for help unless it was necessary and this is definitely the case.  <br /><br />If you know my daughter, you know that she is a fighter and will do anything for her children, family and others but she now feels like she is letting everyone down because of her financial issues that unfortunately is out of her control.

single mother of 2 with rare cancer

On 08/10/2016 tragedy struck one of Suffolk Police Department sisters in Blue.  Long time dedicated veteran, Sergeant Cheryl Balzer, was involved in a head on automobile accident in Chesapeake.  <br /><br />Sgt. Balzer was transported to Norfolk General for the injuries she sustained in the accident.  Tragically while in the hospital ER,  Sgt. Balzer was notified by the Chesapeake Police Department that, in a totally unrelated incident, her beloved daughter Marissa was found deceased at her residence.   <br /><br /> Marissa leaves behind two beautiful special needs little boys that will need assistance throughout their lifetime without their mom.   With this fund we hope to offset some of the heavy financial burden this family is about to bear.  Sgt Balzer is loved by her "Sector 2 Squad" and she has been an inspiration to many of her young officers she leads with compassion and caring.   She steps up and helps everyone in need; especially the Citizens in Suffolk with special mental challenges and needs.  It's time for us to return the favor!  <br /><br /> We, the members of the Suffolk Police Officers' Association pledge to help hold up Cheryl throughout this time of grief and for as long as she needs us.  Please keep Sgt. Balzer and her family in your thoughts and prayers as she recovers from her injuries and grieves over the loss of her daughter.

Carmen Brown

Carmen Brown

Featured causes

Medical bills and everyday expenses

single mother of 2 with rare cancer

Sister in Blue Needs Help

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