By Heather Graf
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Columbia Fire Department is coming together to help one of their own fight a brave battle with cancer.
Sandy Humphrey has worked for the department for nearly a decade. She was actually at work, surrounded by firefighters, when the first signs of illness started showing up.
"I was sending a fax, and all of a sudden my body started shaking," Sandy recalls. "So I went to the emergency room and they did a chest x-ray, and found a tumor. By then, it had already grown all the way around my heart."
The cancer then spread quickly to her bones. The daily radiation treatments soon made work too difficult, and Sandy was forced to retire early.
"It got to the point where I couldn't even walk at one point," she said.
On Friday, the fire department hosted a benefit dinner, auction, and raffle in her honor. All proceeds will go to Sandy, to help pay her medical bills.
"Her work ethic was impeccable, her love for life is infectious, and so anybody she touched wanted to work and help her though this time," said Fire Chief Lee Bergeron.
Hundreds turned out to show their support at the event, including several of Sandy's family members.
"As strong as she is, and what she's been through, I think we take that lead from her and learn to just handle things," said her son Michael Simpson. "It's overwhelming to see that many people show up. It's really a good feeling."
There's no word yet on exactly how much money was raised. Sandy said just seeing the crowd helps give her strength to continue fighting.
"They're my family, they take me in, and I just love all of them, they've been so good to me," she said. "So that's why I fight as hard as I do every day, listen to my doctors, and get my treatments, so that I can be here and be with them."
Sandy knows firsthand just how ruthless cancer can be. She lost her husband to the illness about 17 years ago.
Another fundraiser for Sandy Humphrey is planned for Saturday morning. It's a motorcycle ride and poker run that will start at the Columbia Fire Department on Garden Street. Registration begins at 11 a.m.
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Sandy Humphrey
