California Dispatcher in Need of Support

Dear 911CARES,

One of my best friends and previous co-workers, Deleena Rankin, has been a public safety dispatcher in the Central California region for almost 25 years serving among the ranks of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, Lompoc Police Department, Guadalupe Police Department, Paso Robles Police Department and most recently Fort Hunter Liggett Police Department. Recently, Deleena was taken to the hospital after having a Grand Mal seizure. An MRI revealed a golf ball sized mass on her brain behind her right ear. Two days later surgery was performed to remove the tumor. Sadly, pathology results returned that it was Stage 4 brain cancer (Glioblastoma). Deleena was sent home to recover from surgery before any treatment could begin. She was making progress in her recovery, taking it one day at a time. Two weeks later she was admitted back into the hospital after experiencing general weakness. A MRI showed that the Glioblastoma had returned larger than the original tumor and had begun spreading across her brain. The Neurosurgeon on site advised that additional surgery was not an option and the Chemotherapy and Radiation Oncologists did not recommend treatment.

A second opinion was requested by Deleena and her family from experts at the Stanford Cancer Center. Deleena was transported by ambulance to Stanford. The neurosurgeon at Stanford had great news; a second surgery to remove the Glioblastoma was an option as well as treatment. Deleena had her second craniotomy to remove as much of the tumor as safely possible. She is recovering well from the surgery and will be monitored over the next few days. We are remaining optimistic that the next step in treatment will be radiation. Please keep Deleena and her family in your thoughts and prayers during her battle against cancer.

Deleena’s son Robert, has taken unpaid leave from his teaching career in San Francisco to be by her side 24/7 to ensure that her needs are being met. This illness has created a large financial burden on Deleena and her family. We are aiming to raise $15,000 to assist with the rapidly increasing medical costs associated with Deleena’s care.

If you would like to make a donation (tax deductible); please make checks out to: SLO LEAF - San Luis Obispo Law Enforcement Assistance Foundation, 200 N. Halcyon Road, Arroyo Grande CA 93420

Make a notation on your check for “Deleena Rankin”.
www.sloleaf.org
Tax ID 36 45 19083

Contact: Rochelle Ross – San Luis Obispo Police Department
Email: Rross@slocity.org
Phone: (805) 594-8017