The organization Cops for Kids with Cancer recently made a $5,000 donation to a Danvers family. Shown above at the donation presentation at Massachusetts State Police Troop A Headquarters in Danvers are (from left) State Police Captain Michael Drummy, Boston Police Superintendent-in-Chief (ret.) Bob Faherty, Erik West, Elayne West, Olive Letourneau, Danvers Police Lt. Dana Milne and Danvers Police Captain Ed Plamowski. Erick is fighting bone cancer and is undergoing treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital. Elayne, his mom, plans to use the grant to repair her car, which she needs to transport Erik to MGH for treatment.

Cops for Kids with Cancer is a local, nonprofit charity that raises money to assist families who are caring for children living with cancer and who may face financial challenges. Parents often have to take prolonged leaves of absence from work to care for their children, which often adds to the family's financial burden. Cops for Kids with Cancer recognized these challenges and provides assistance to qualifying families. In 2010 alone, the charity assisted 36 families with $5,000 grants and additionally made $10,000 donations to the children's cancer wards at Massachusetts General Hospital and Tufts Floating Hospital. Referrals for grants are accepted through any police officer who may be aware of a family in need.

Cops for Kids with Cancer is guided by an all-volunteer board comprised of active and retired federal, state and local police officers, as well as businesspersons. The board is chaired by retired Boston Police Superintendent-in-Chief Bob Faherty. Captain Drummy and State Police Detective Lieutenant William Coulter serve on the board. Proceeds from the annual State Police Commissioned Officers Association Golf Tournament are donated to the organization.

The Massachusetts State Police are honored by the opportunity to support this vital charitable organization. To learn more about the charity and some of the annual events that we host for fundraising, please visit our website at www.copsforkidswithcancer.org.