FAIRMONT, W.Va (WDTV) – It was an emotional day in Marion County on Friday, where first responders with the Marion County Rescue Squad surprised Star City Police Chief Jessica Colebank with a check for more than $4,000 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. earlier this year.

Colebank, who volunteered with MCRS before becoming police chief, was moved to tears by the gesture.

“It takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders; it’s a long burden to go through, so everything helps,” Colebank said.

The Marion County Rescue Squad has been raising money for breast cancer awareness every October since 2018. Brooklyn Wadell, public relations coordinator for the rescue squad, says it was an easy decision to help the one of theirs.

“She’s just part of our community and every time we heard about her diagnosis, we couldn’t wait to help her,” Wadell said.

Colebank is in her second year as police chief and she is currently halfway through her chemotherapy treatment. While usually she is the one responsible for saving the community, this time she says it was the community that saved her.

“I really appreciate everything everyone has done for me. Without this army of people behind me, I would not be where I am today.

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