Melissa Farmer

A note from 911 CARES. I can’t imagine having speech as I know it taken from me. Please take a look at the activation request below. They are asking for cards, prayers and small donations or rehabilitation assistance. There is an address listed below to send your cards and well wishes.

Kevin Willett - PSTC - 911 CARES
www.pstc911.com wwww.911cares.com
650-591-7911 x102

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Kevin,

I am finally getting around in providing you an update on Melissa Farmer, my GIS Technician for Scott County VA 9-1-1.  You may remember her as the one I requested you to sign a get well card for at the TENA conference in Gatlinburg, TN.  Melissa has been in remission with cancer of the tongue for over 7 years now. 

In 2002, Scott County VA began the long and arduous task of implementing 9-1-1.  It was within the first year that I realized I would need the assistance of a dedicated employee to make the project a realization.  I was fortunate to find a person that was dedicated to this project along with the remainder of my staff.  Melissa came on board and has been one that came in early, stayed late, worked through lunch and insured the GIS layers for the rest of the Scott County 9-1-1 team was as accurate as possible in order to save lives and property. 

Recently she was diagnosed with cancer again.  She is going to undergo a ~16 hour surgery on Monday October 15th in Charlottesville VA for the removal of her tongue & voice box along with the relocation of her windpipe to a trachea. 

This will not only mean that she will not be able to speak but will be requiring a stomach tube for food.  As members of the PSAP community I am requesting your prayers for Melissa, her family and Scott County 9-1-1 as our comrade and friend undergoes her surgery and long recovery.  Melissa and her family will have to be 6 hours from home which will be very stressful along with many expenses that would not be covered by insurance.  Melissa has been there for Scott County 9-1-1 and the area Virginia and Northeast Tennessee PSAPs as we bring Enhanced 9-1-1 to realization and now the PSAP community can show her how much 9-1-1 Cares about a fellow PSAP member.

If anyone has any ideas for private or public support for equipment that would assist her in being able to recover and be able to communicate following the surgery or if you are aware of any ideas that would make her more comfortable and able to regain communications please send them to Scott County 9-1-1, We Care Melissa, PO Box 395, Gate City, VA 24251 or email to mfarmer@scottcountyva.com 

Thank you so very much
And may God Bless,
Tim Addington
9-1-1 Director
Scott County, VA
276-386-7220