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Samantha Hayes reporting A Utah law officer who has spent much of his life helping the community, is now thanking the community for giving him a second chance at life.
Two months after he was diagnosed with an agressive form of cancer, Jade Pusey's friends and colleagues have raised 250 thousand dollars, to pay for an experimental treatment.
In March, Jade Pusey was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer. The experimental surgery isn't covered by insurance, but because of friends and strangers he will undergo a stem cell transplant at LDS hospital in a few weeks.
14-month-old Garrett is too young to know exactly what's going on with dad, just that some days he can play, and some days he's too tired. What he will come to know is that his father is fighting everyday to stay alive, for him.
JADE PUSEY/FIGHTING CANCER: "WATCHING GARRETT START SCHOOL, TEACHING HIM HOW TO RIDE A BIKe, HOW TO DRIVE, GOING TO COLLEGE AND SPENDING TIME DEER HUNTING WITH HIM."
Jade also wants to spend time with his wife, says he misses his coworkers. In February, he announced a major accomplishment through the Attorney General's office, busting up a violent organized indentity theft ring.
But from that professional high came a devestating personal low, the 30-year-old was diagnosed with an aggressive, deadly, form of cancer.
TANYA PUSEY/WIFE: "AND THEN TO FIND OUT WE NEEDED THE STEM CELL TRANSPLANT AND TO BE TOLD YOU NEED TO RAISE THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY AND THEN TO GET THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY SO QUICKLY.."
SAMANTHA HAYES/EYEWITNESS NEWS: THE MONEY HAS COME FROM FUNDRAISING..15 TO 20 IN JUST THE PAST FEW MONTHS..EVERYTHING FROM CARWASHES AND MARATHONS TO LITTLE BRACELETS THAT JADE'S COWORKERS ARE MAKING."
JADE: WE CAN'T MEASURE WHAT THEY'VE DONE FOR US..I'LL SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE TRYING TO THANK THIS COMMUNITY."
And as he prepares for the transplant that gives him a 50/50 chance, Jade says he's come to a an understanding about life.
JADE: "YOU HAVE CHALLENGES, YOU FACE THEM AND SOMETIMES THE WAY YOU FACE THEM IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHETHER YOU OVERCOME THEM OR NOT."
Jade's brother is the match for his transplant- and there are a few more fundraisers in the coming weeks to make sure there is enough money to cover the costs.
