Redwood City, CA
1-800-348-8911

FROM :
Minnehaha Metro Communications
500 North Minnesota Avenue - Public Safety Building
Sioux Falls , South Dakota 57104 Telephone (605) 367-7218

March 30, 2004

Dear Kevin,

I'd like to take a moment to ask for help on behalf one of our dispatchers. Karmen Sawh has been a dispatcher for three years. She does a wonderful job and is dedicated to the 911 profession. In January of this year Karmen was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy and had the first of six chemo treatments in February. After the first chemo treatment she returned to work with the same sense of humor she had before the diagnosis

With each chemo treatment Karmen has had to use at least three sick days. She will. soon use all of her accumulated sick and vacation time. She will request vacation donation to help with the remaining treatments. However, I ‘m concerned that the donations may not be enough. Shortly after the last chemo treatment she will undergo reconstructive surgery and will need to be off work for another/four to six.weeks .

Karmen is married and has two children. In spite of the health insurance they have, the financial impact will still be extensive. The chermo treatments cost approximately $7,000 each and I'm sure there will he many associated costs that insurance will pay only a portion of.

As predicted three weeks after the first chemo treatment Karmen's hair fell out. To show support several dispatchers shaved their heads They had a head shaving party at Karmen‘s house where her husband made dinner and did the shaving.

I'm hoping that there is a way for others to help support Karmen with donations, cards, or notes.  All forms of support may he sent to Karmen Sawh:

Metro Communications
500 N Minnesota Ave
Sioux Falls , SD 57104

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and posting it on your web site. Please call with any questions you may have.

Deb Berreth
Assistant Director
Metro Communications
605-367-7297

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