Police Organization Gives Local Cancer Patient $5K

Devin Donegan turned 16 in a hospital bed on Sept. 2.

After the North Andover teen became ill with what his family thought was a flu earlier this year, doctors told him he had leukaemia and sent him to the Floating Hospital for Children at New England Medical Center.

"He was in very bad shape," Devin's father Bill said. Devin was released from the hospital last week and is gathering his strength. "He's been walking around, starting to learn to eat again after being on intravenous for so long."

Bill Donegan was at the North Andover Police Station Friday as a guest of Chief Paul Gallagher and Cops for Kids With Cancer, a statewide fundraising organization of active retired police officers who raise money for children battling cancer and their families.

Former superintendent-in-chief of the Boston Police Department Robert Flaherty, the chairman of the organization, presented Bill Donegan with a check for $5,000 to help pay for Devin's expenses.

"We step in and try to give each family $5,000," Flaherty said. "This month we've had four families."

Golf to Gifts

Cops for Kids With Cancer actually has its roots in Ireland. A golf tournament was held by the law enforcement agency in County Cork, Ireland, which benefited cancer patients. Retired Boston Police Captain John Dow brought a group of Massachusetts police officers together with that group for the tournament in 2002, and the proceeds were donated to the Pediatric Cancer Ward at Mercy Hospital in Cork. Since then, local police officers as well as Irish officers travel back and forth between the two nations to play for the Dow Cup.

Dow, a cancer survivor, turned his passion for helping kids into what is now a massive police fundraising effort. After Dow passed away in 2007, Flaherty took over as chairman.

"This year we hope to donate to 50 families," Flaherty said. "But you're always hustling to raise money."

The fundraising may be exhausting, but the results can be seen directly in patients like Devin Donegan and their families. Devin could not attend, because he was at the hospital for treatment -- he has to have treatment at least two days a week -- but his father said Devin's strength is immeasurable.

"I can't believe he has such a great attitude through everything, and he's been through a lot," Bill said.

To learn more about Cops For Kids With Cancer or to donate, visit http://www.copsforkidswithcancer.org/.