Police officers and the community are rallying behind an Abbotsford cop who was diagnosed this month with terminal cancer.
A fundraising campaign in support of Const. Ryan Masales and his family has so far raised more than $80,000.
Abbotsford Police Const. Daryl Young, a friend and co-worker of Masales, set up the GoFundMe account on Sept. 15, and said he is amazed and humbled at the response.
Young initially set a fundraising goal of $20,000 but has since increased it to $90,000 to accommodate the unexpected level of generosity.
“This is just a testament to how amazing an officer and person Ryan is,” Young said.
Masales, who has been with the Abbotsford Police Department (APD) since 2010, was diagnosed with an aggressive stage 4 brain tumour on Sept. 15 after experiencing a seizure at work 10 days earlier.
He has since had surgery to remove the tumour but was given the devastating news that his condition is terminal.
Masales is married to another Abbotsford Police officer, Estelize, and the couple have a four-year-old son, Ryder.
Young said Masales, who most recently worked with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, is a highly respected officer and an “outgoing and upbeat kind of guy that people like to be around.”
Young said the fundraising campaign has been supported by the Abbotsford Police union and employees of the APD, as well as the Vancouver Police Department, where Masales served 11 years before coming to Abbotsford.
He said donations have also been rolling in from strangers.
Young said the funds are going to the family to use as they see fit, whether it’s for unforeseen expenses or a vacation – “whatever is going to make their quality of life better.”
The campaign can be found online at gofundme.com/2pb65x3j