RECENT BENEFICIARIES

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HALF OF THE 2024 5k PROCEEDS DONATED TO:

Wells Firefighter - Tyler McDermott

Tyler McDermott, age 33 born and raised in Wells ME

Joined the WFD call force in 2020 and holds an EMT license as well as firefighter I and II certifications.

Two children Elise age 6 and Hudson age 7 who are his whole world, as well as a wife Nicole of 9 years. They have been together since high school here in Wells, ME. 

In February of 2024 after an episode of extreme back and stomach pain Tyler went to the hospital where he was discharged with muscle spasms. Less than 12 hours later he was back in the hospital where a CT scan was preformed and numerous large masses were identified in his abdomen. Things moved very quickly from there and he was fortunate to get in with a gastroenterologist within days and from there an endoscopy biopsy was performed. 

The diagnosis was a rare form of cancer, neuroendocrine cancer of the pancreas. This is a very rare cancer that accounts for less than 1% of all cancer diagnosis’s yearly. This is a cancer that effects the neuroendocrine cells within the body. 

Over the last six months he has battled through pain, nausea, fatigue, and heart issues due to chemotherapy and all with a smile on his face and the optimism to match. 

At his first retagging scans on August 1st, he was told that all tumors have gotten bigger and new ones have grown effecting even more of the lymph nodes in his abdomen.

Less than a week after the scans he started a more aggressive chemotherapy at the Dana Faber facility in Boston. He travels to Boston every three weeks for a three day cycle of chemotherapy. During this time has had the most positive outlook on this situation and has stated he can’t wait to be on the other side of this. While he still is feeling good between cycles he is enjoying spending time with his family and friends, attending football practices with his son, dance classes with his daughter and as much time as he can at the Wells Fire Department doing something that truly makes him happy. 

"ON TOUR FOR THE FOUR" 

Benefit Concert Event

In August of 2023, Four Maine State Troopers were badly injured when a car went off the road and hit them. The troopers had responded to a family dispute in Hollis when the accident occurred. All four Troopers suffered significant injuries and incurred a lot of medical bills along with missing months of work.

In early fall of 2023, The Trooper Black Foundation met with the State Police to see how they could assist these four Troopers. The Trooper Black Foundation secured the Maine bands: 12/OC & Toby McAllister, an afternoon at the Cross Insurance Arena and dozens of auction items and monetary donations for a benefit concert dubbed "ON TOUR FOR THE FOUR". The benefit raised significant funds for all four families and brought in visiting law enforcement personal from as far away as Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

We are happy to report that all four troopers are recovering well. 

The Incident: WGME News 13

On tour for the four benefit concert: WMTW News 8

Provided assistance to: 

Lieutenant Bagley and his family

A Massachusetts family's outing to the White Mountains of New Hampshire turned tragic when a 10-year-old boy slipped into a swift river and his mother drowned after she jumped in to attempt to save him. The mother, 44-year-old Melissa Bagley, died in the arms of her husband, a Massachusetts police officer, as he tried to revive her. The deadly incident unfolded at the popular Franconia Falls in Lincoln, New Hampshire, when Bagley's 10-year-old son slipped and fell into one of the pools near the falls.

"He could not get out of the pool as it was a fast, circulating current. The mother jumped into the river to help her child and began to immediately have trouble.”

The two other Bagley children, one an 18-year-old, dove into the water in an attempt to rescue the mother and brother.

"They were able to get their brother out of the water, but in doing so, another brother became lodged in the boulders and could not escape.”

Sean Bagley also dove into the water in a desperate attempt to find his wife. He eventually found her on a rock and immediately began CPR. Unfortunately, she was unable to be revived.”

The Incident: Boston 25 News

Provided assistance to: 

York, ME Firefighter and EMT - Dave McElroy

York, Maine native and career Firefighter and EMT Dave McElroy.  Dave is the embodiment of why the Trooper Black Foundation was founded; he joined the York Volunteer Ambulance Association at the age of 15 as an apprentice, and has been a dedicated public servant at numerous fire departments and ambulance services throughout Maine and New Hampshire ever since. 

Unfortunately, Dave is currently battling a fourth Diagnosis of cancer, causing him renewed physical, emotional and financial stress. He was first diagnosed in 2017 with Stage I Colon Cancer, and most recently in March of 2023 he received his fourth diagnosis when he was found to have Metastic Lung Cancer. Throughout these multiple diagnoses, Dave has continued to give back as he serves as the New Hampshire State Director of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, an organization which provides one on one peer support and other non-financial resources to fellow Fire/EMS professionals and their families who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Dave is the ultimate fighter, who, in spite of his own personal battle, continues to give back. In his own words: “Receiving assistance from the Trooper Black Foundation was an absolute Godsend. What a lot of people don’t understand about being diagnosed with cancer is the financial burden put on the person diagnosed.” 

Recently, the Trooper Black Foundation extended its support to two individuals in need. First, Waterville, ME firefighter Captain Michael Folsom encountered a medical emergency on May 10, 2023. While driving his personal vehicle after cutting short his vacation to address an issue with the municipal fire alarm system, Captain Folsom suffered cardiac arrest. He was swiftly transported to Thayer Hospital via ambulance and later airlifted to Maine Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition. Captain Folsom has been a dedicated public servant since 1985, serving with the Waterville Fire Department. This unfortunate incident has placed immense physical, emotional, and financial strain on him and his family. In recognition of their plight, the Trooper Black Foundation gladly provided Captain Folsom and his family with a generous donation offering much-needed assistance during this challenging time.

The second recipient of the Trooper Black Foundation's support is California Riverside County Deputy Sheriff Darnell Calhoun, aged 30. Tragically, Deputy Sheriff Calhoun lost his life while responding to a domestic dispute on January 13, 2023. This incident struck a deep chord with the surviving members of the Trooper Black Foundation, as it mirrored the circumstances faced by Trooper Black's widow, who found herself raising two young sons while expecting a child after her husband's passing in 1964. With Deputy Sheriff Calhoun leaving behind two young sons and a pregnant wife, the Trooper Black Foundation felt compelled to assist them in their time of need. In line with this commitment, the foundation contributed towards a successful campaign aimed at providing Deputy Sheriff Calhoun's family with a mortgage-free home, offering them some measure of stability and support.