Cops for a Cure is a non-profit organization founded by law enforcement officers who recognized the need to support the families of first responders facing the financial burden of illness. The idea emerged after several colleagues and friends in law enforcement experienced such challenges firsthand.
In 2018, one officer’s young child needed a kidney transplant. While awaiting the procedure, the child underwent multiple dialysis treatments and frequent trips to the medical center. This was a difficult time for the family, not only due to their child’s illness but also because of the accumulating medical bills and travel expenses. To alleviate some of this burden, members of the local sheriff’s office organized a golf tournament to raise funds. With the support of the community, they were able to provide the family with $9,500.
Soon after, another colleague received a diagnosis of throat cancer. Faced with an extended leave from work and rising medical costs, the family found themselves in financial distress. Inspired by the success of the previous event, the group organized a concert and dinner to support this family, raising $9,335 to help cover medical expenses.
These events became the foundation for Cops for a Cure, a commitment to assisting the families of first responders. The organization continued to grow, and another call for help came when the teenage child of a detention center officer was diagnosed with cancer. The team organized a first responders’ softball tournament, raising $5,000 to help with the family’s medical bills.
As time went on, Cops for a Cure extended its support to the wife of a deputy who was battling breast cancer. In her honor, they hosted the first annual golf tournament to benefit a local breast cancer center, eventually donating $5,000 to support families dealing with this disease.
In addition to individual cases, the foundation supported others in the law enforcement community. They assisted an officer whose spouse passed away from cancer just before the holidays, providing $1,000 to help with medical expenses. They also helped another officer whose child was struck by a vehicle, offering $1,000 to assist during the recovery period.
Throughout 2020, the foundation supported two families whose children were battling cancer, providing $2,000 to assist with their medical needs, with more support promised in the future. The organization also contributed to a college fund after the loss of a retired deputy and fireman who passed away from COVID-19.
Beyond individual families, Cops for a Cure has supported other organizations that assist first responders. In 2020, they donated $1,000 to a local fund dedicated to officers injured in the line of duty and contributed $2,500 to a chaplains’ fund that helps law enforcement employees in times of need.
As of September 2024, Cops for a Cure has provided over $100,000 to first responder families in their time of need, living up to their mission to “Help Those Who Help Others.” With ongoing support from the community and sponsors, they aim to continue this work for years to come.
Co-Founders: Michael Turner, Brad Newton, Philip Wilkie