Meet James Seneca of Cops Fighting Cancer in Aurora

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Seneca.

James, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a cancer survivor of leukemia from 33 years ago when I was first diagnosed in August 1987. Born and raised in Buffalo NY and was two weeks in the academy when I was diagnosed with my cancer. After a grueling experience of chemotherapy, I went from 215 lbs to a mere 165 lbs. This experience of chemotherapy was horrific and violent episodes of vomiting and extreme sickness and high fevers. My chances of survival were only 30 percent to survive. I had wonderful support from my family and friends during this experience and without them, I never would have made it through.

I worked for the Transit Authority Police Department from 12/1988 through 6/1995. I was offered a job with the Aurora Police department in August 1995 as a lateral officer. I started Cops Fighting Cancer in 2002 when we first went to Children’s hospital in Denver to visit with all the sick children at the hospital to honor and encourage them to keep fighting. In May 2003 I read a story about a young girl named Brianna Roberts who had a rare form of cancer and we had our first fundraiser for Cops Fighting Cancer in August 2003. We raised $15,000 to help Brianna and her family and today she is alive and well and going to college. This opened up our eyes to make us realize how many people and families needed support and help.

Over the years we have raised thousands of dollars and helped hundreds of families that are affected by this disease we call cancer. Our mission statement is Hope, Support and Compassion. Our four main categories at Cops Fighting Cancer is Financial assistance, Honorary police officer program, Long Blue Line event at Children’s hospital and our Healing Quilt project. Our main objective is to support and encourage cancer patients and their families to keep fighting and we support them all the way. Having cancer comes with a lot of uncertainties and we see and meet a lot of incredible and courageous people. Over the past 18 years since the inception of Cops Fighting Cancer, we have visited with over 7,000 sick children and have assembled an army of law enforcement officers from across the state where we visit with every sick child at the hospital every year.

This event is the largest in the state and one of the largest in the entire country. Over the years I have received many humbling awards but my greatest reward is meeting and helping so many remarkable people and families. Unfortunately, not everyone makes it past this terrible disease and sometimes they pass away which is the hardest part regarding this cancer journey. I know this is a calling for me and I had to endure my suffering from years ago to help others with this disease today.

My FAITH plays a huge role in all of this and I know for a fact that GOD uses me as vessel to help others and encourage people that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I am living proof that miracles do happen and I do my best to inspire and support and encourage people with this disease. I am beyond BLESSED to have this calling in my life and I feel very fortunate to help these special people and families. For more information, you can go to our web site at copsfightingcancer.org or like us on our Facebook page. THANK YOU!

Has it been a smooth road?
Raising donations is always a struggle and bringing awareness about cancer is a challenge as well. Competing with other organizations is a challenge as well because we are all competing for dollars to help people.

We’d love to hear more about your organization.
Our main objective in any situation is identifying the most urgent need and getting help to those families as soon as possible. Our four categories are Financial support, Honorary police officer program, Long Blue Line event and our Healing Quilt project. We have literally helped hundreds of families over the years and visited with over 7,000 sick children at Colorado Children’s hospital and we got more businesses and numerous law enforcement agencies involved throughout the state in order to help more people and families.

We have gifted 450 hand made quilts to various cancer patients throughout the Denver metro area. We have honored seven terminally ill children who wanted to be a police officer before they passed. Giving people and families HOPE and encouragement affected by this terrible disease is our greatest reward. Our PASSION and COMPASSION to help families with this disease is personal because our founder and president James Seneca knows first hand what cancer is all about because he is a survivor of cancer himself.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes, the Denver metro area is a great place to live and a lot of giving and compassionate people live here.

Contact Info:

• Website: copsfightingcancer.org
• Phone: 720-938-3810
• Email: jseneca@copsfightingcancer.org
• Facebook: Copsfightingcancer

Image Credit:
Bob Bonner

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