South San Francisco (CA) Dispatcher in Need of Support

NOTE FROM KEVIN AT 911 CARES:
Dear friends, as a rookie dispatcher, I worked part time at the South San Francisco 9-1-1 center to help them out when they were short handed and it helped me save for a home. The team at SSF is one of closest families that I have ever been a part of. Though I never worked with Mark, I would ask that you send cards or gifts of encouragement to Mark. Thanks!

Dear 911CARES,

I work for South San Francisco Police Department and one of our former dispatchers, Mark Rojelio, is sick with Leukemia. He was a dispatcher here for 8 years and was medically retired out about a month ago. His last year he was on medical leave for the entire year, fighting the cancer. In November of last year, it looked like the cancer was in remission and we were all planning on welcoming Mark back to work in February. Shortly after we got the news that he would be coming back in February, we heard that the cancer had come back just as strong as it was when they found it and he'd have to start chemo again. Mark was medically retired out in February and almost immediately went into the hospital. We (his fellow dispatchers) all believed that it was for a bone marrow transplant-he'd told us that he'd found a donor and a back up, and that he'd be having the transplant soon. When none of us heard from him for a month, we just assumed he was recovering from his transplant and he'd be out and about soon.

About a week ago, one of our officers' wives ran into Marks's wife, Karen Rojelio, and we were stunned by what she found out. Karen told the officer's wife that Mark's been in the hospital for the past month with a terrible infection. Karen said that the going was rough for Mark for a while; he had a breathing and a feeding tube in and Karen was told to plan for the worse. Since then, he's rallied somewhat but things are not looking very good for him. Our Communications Manager, Brenda Velasquez, went to visit Mark at Stanford hospital last week and relayed to us that he is not doing well. He was unable to have the bone marrow transplant, the original donor backed out, and then Mark got the infection. They've biopsied his bone marrow and they are trying to see how bad the cancer is. Apparently, Mark has two options: they will either be able to fight the cancer in small doses, little by little until he is well enough to have the bone marrow transplant from the back up donor; or they won't be able to fight the cancer and his situation will most likely be terminal.

Originally, we thought that Mark and Karen were struggling financially. Karen has had to take quite a bit of time off of work during the course of Mark's illness and it takes a few months to retire through PERS. However, Brenda has, since, spoken to Karen and Karen assured her that financially, they are fine. PERS is rushing the paperwork to get him his retirement more quickly. Right now the concern seems to be Mark's spirits. Brenda said that when she saw him last week he was saying that he doesn't have much time left and just hopes he isn't in too much pain before he dies. She said he is very weak and his spirits seem low. This is very unusual for Mark.

Mark has always been incredibly positive. Even during the darkest times, Mark has been able to smile and joke and look on the positive side. I am hoping that, by activating 911cares, the support and care that will, hopefully, begin pouring in will boost his spirits and inspire him to continue fighting. Furthermore, I would still like to try to raise money for them to help with any unforseen costs/bills that may come up, to lessen their stress. Any checks to be sent their way can be made out to Karen Rojelio and can be mailed to 410 Milan Dr #122 San Jose, Ca 95134.

Mark just recently turned 40, in December. He is from San Diego, Ca and most of his family still lives there. He has a brother who lives in Placerville with his wife and young daughter; Mark's only niece. Mark was a Marine for many years, right out of high school. After retiring from the Marines, Mark worked as an EMT, then an EMT dispatcher and then a dispatcher for SSFPD. He was with SSFPD for 8 years and is much beloved among us. He is always very warm, friendly, caring, funny, cheerful, positive and a lot of fun to be around. He is a whiz with technology and computers. Mark is a cat lover and has a rescue cat, Harley, at home, in San Jose. He is a wonderful person and a fighter and could benefit from the support and love that I know 911cares inspires in people.

Thank you,
Angela Romanini
SSFPD