Woodland Fire Department hosting fundraiser for Knights Landing's cancer-stricken fire chief

Some of the volunteer firefighters at the Knights Landing Fire District have shaved their heads to show support for Chief Rachel Olson, center, who was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer in November. (Matthew Henderson/Democrat)

Not even cancer could stop Rachel Olson from trying to serve her community.

Olson, the fire chief of the Knights Landing Fire District who does CSI-type work at the Yolo County Sheriff's Department as her primary job, was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer in mid-November. Since then, she's taken a leave of absence from working with the sheriff's department but continues to do administrative work with the volunteer fire department.

While Olson says she's progressing real well, the process of not being able to work full time did not settle well with her at first.

"My job's a big part of my life," said Olson, a 1992 Woodland High School alumna who has worked at the sheriff's department for the last 13 years. "I enjoy serving the community."

Olson, a Knights Landing resident who has been with the local fire department for 15 years, including the last two as chief, has received a lot of help from the community and her peers since she was diagnosed.

On Saturday, Jan. 14, the Woodland Fire Department is hosting a pancake breakfast to raise funds for Olson to financially assist and ease her recovery process. There is no set cost for the meal. All donations will be accepted. All proceeds go to the Chief Rachel Olson Medical Relief Fund.

The fundraiser is being held at Woodland Fire Station No. 3, located at 1550 Springlake Court, from 7:30 a.m. to noon. Sausage, eggs and potatoes will also be served.

Donations can also be made to Rachel Olson, Yolo Federal

Credit Union account No. 70578, or by sending funds to KLFD, PO Box 578, Knights Landing, Calif., 95645.

A big screen TV donated by the Yolo County Deputies Sheriffs' Association will be one of the prizes up for grabs in a raffle.

"No words can say how thankful I am for everybody supporting me," Olson said, "from my coworkers, to the other fire departments and the sheriff's office."

Four of the Knights Landing volunteer firefighters and two from Esparto have even shaved their heads to match Olsen's new hair style.

"It's amazing to see how much people come together," Olson said. "Everything was thrown at me as a surprise."

Back in November, Olson was having trouble eating as food was getting caught in her throat. On Nov. 14 she went to see a specialist and shortly after was informed that doctors had spotted a tumor.

"It was a shocker when I found out," she said. "I went in for a medical observation and I came out with a whole different journey ahead of me."

That journey includes chemotherapy, undergoing radiation and a tentative surgery in February. By August, Olson hopes to be back to work at the sheriff's department.

"That's the game plan right now," she said.

Got a story idea for The Democrat? Follow Matthew Kimel at @whatsupwoodland and pitch your idea to him.

Source: http://www.dailydemocrat.com/ci_19657672?source=rss_viewed

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