Lauderhill Police Department Supports Colleague With Barbecue Fundraiser

Kayan Wright was able to interact with family and friends who turned out at the event through Skype

Kayan Wright watched via Skype as her family, friends, and colleagues came together to support her with a barbecue fundraiser at the Lauderhill Police Department Thursday.

“I thank God every morning when I wake up, just to have the support of my family and all my coworkers at the police department and my friends,” said Wright, who has bone cancer, from her VA hospital bed. “I couldn’t do it without them.”

Wright used to serve as a public service aide at the department, but because of budget cuts she became a part-time worker and lost her health insurance in the process. The 29-year-old served in the U.S. Air Force and was awarded twice for her services in Iraq.

She’s also a mother of two – and a few days after giving birth to her daughter Kimara, Wright was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer.

Wright, who has stage 4 cancer, has been hospitalized since Karina’s birth.

“I just came to give my full support and pray for her and let her know that she can overcome,” Dina Nesbitt said at Thursday’s fundraiser, which included food, desserts and live music.

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Despite Wright’s dilemma, many of her friends and family friends and colleagues at the Lauderhill Police Department say she has a fighting spirit. And they came out to fight for her.

“Her driving force and her charisma is going to be able to get her through this,” Sgt. Greg Solowsky said.

Said Capt. Constance Stanley, “We are like a big family. We spend a lot of time together with each other and it’s good to see everyone coming together for this great cause supporting her.”

Some of Wright’s coworkers even took their support a step further by cutting off some of their hair.

“I know she was getting the support but, to be honest, when I came here and to see it for myself,” said her mother, Vivienne Clark, “it really amazed me.”

“I’m very excited and just overly appreciative of everything that’s going on,” Wright said.

People interested in giving donations can mail them to the Fraternal Order of Police Lauderhill Lodge 161, located at 4846 N. University Drive, Lauderhill, FL 33351. Make checks payable to Kayan Wright.

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