26-year-old deputy who has given so much to so many needs So. Illinois' help
Perry County Sheriff Keith Kellerman and Pinckneyville police officer Gary Remer are combining two distinct fundraisers into one this Saturday in hopes of raising several thousand dollars for a Perry County deputy sheriff afflicted with brain cancer.
Chris Harvey, 26, began his service to Perry County at the jail in 2007 and was promoted to deputy in 2010.
He had some medical issues in recent years with what is known as an anaplastic oligoastrocytoma, a brain specific tumor that spiders into the cellular network as it grows.
In October 2011 Chris experienced some seizures. After an MRI, the tumor was monitored for several months. Chris began experiencing numbness on the left side. Surgeries can help, but never get all of the tumor. In recent months he returned to his neurology and oncology doctors in St. Louis, who now say the tumor has grown rapidly into a Stage 3 oligoastrocytoma. He is taking both chemotherapy injections and prescriptions to slow the tumor's growth, and he undergoes physical therapy three or four times a week to recapture as much strength as possible.
At his side through it all is fiance Kathleen Kelly of Du Quoin.
Unbeknownst to each other, separate fundraisers were being planned. The sheriff's department was planning a benefit, which will be held this Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Pinckneyville. Remer was planning a poker run.
Both benefits have since been combined. The poker run will begin at noon from the K of C Hall. Riders and the public are invited back to the hall for one of two meals--a spaghetti dinner with the legendary sauce being provided by the Dolce family and pulled pork sandwiches being prepared by the "Sauced up Smokers" of Carbondale.
Entertainment will be provided by the band 4Play.
Some of the silent auctions include a seven-day stay at St. Martin's Island in the Virgin Islands, several sets of Cardinals and Rams tickets and jerseys. There are tickets to an Alabama concert in St. Louis and tickets to the Billy Currington and Kansas shows at the Du Quoin State Fair.
Raffle items include a seven-day stay for six at a resort in Gulf Shores, Alabama, a butchered beef quarter, guns and quilts.
"Chris is a great person. He has been there for other people," said Kellerman. Despite the challenges of this medical condition, he remains positive and in good spirits.
Tickets for the event are $10 per person or $15 per couple.
Raffle tickets for the Gulf Shores trip are $10 each. Raffle tickets for the beef quarter, guns, etc. are $5 each or five tickets for $20.
Chris is one of eight deputies working in the department.