Jade Gullion: Veteran, K-9 Trainer, Survivor
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When there is danger, we are programmed as humans to reach out to those who know best how to help us. When we as a nation are threatened we call out the military. When we are in danger, we call law enforcement. When someone is lost or a person needs to be taken into custody but is in hiding, the police will send out a tracking unit with the help of K-9 units. Can you imagine a person who is part of all of these agencies needing help?
Former Marine and Army Corporal Henry “Jade” Gullion, who until recently worked as part of the K-9 Service dog unit for the Arizona Department of Corrections, is an amazing man. The doctors have recently discovered a Granuloma in the lungs, requiring very expensive tests and procedures. In Addition, Jade was diagnosed with an unknown blood disease. His sweet wife Wendi who has Lupus, is using her FMLA leave from work to help take care of Jade, and their children and grandchildren need our support, prayers and if possible monetary donations.
Here’s his story:
He served first as a Marine, completing tours of duty in Afghanistan. He followed his dream and became a K-9 Officer for the Arizona Department of Corrections. Fast forward a little while and Jade met his wife Wendi. He had always felt the need to return to the military and did so, this time serving in the Army as a Combat Medic. Shortly after enlisting he was called to active duty tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was part of the personal security detail for his Commander. While serving he received numerous awards. His housing unit was hit with an explosive which resulted in a traumatic brain injury and he was sent to Ft. Bliss to recover. He later returned home to Arizona and went back to work with the K-9 Unit, and became a member of the National Police and K-9 Association. He worked with various State agencies doing drug searches, tracking escaped inmates and helping to find lost and missing persons. Then the Covid-19 pandemic hit. This past December he was diagnosed with Covid and hospitalized twice- both times with double pneumonia. His kidneys were functioning at 60%, his blood levels were all over the place and he was at high risk for blood clots so he was placed on blood thinners. During a chest x-ray doctors located a tumor on his right lung. They need to verify the type of cancer in order to determine the course of treatment and in order to do so, they need to perform a biopsy which is very expensive. He has had emergency procedures to drain fluids from his chest to help him breathe. He also had five grand mal seizures and was flown by helicopter to Barrows Neurological Institute to determine the cause. Additionally, jade has been diagnosed with Granuloma and an unknown blood disease. Now he must undergo a bone marrow biopsy to see if the cancer has spread and what this blood disorder is.
The hospital wants the $1,000 deductible up front before the procedure can happen. Jade and Wendi still owe $25k out of pocket from just the helicopter flight to Barrows. He's been out of work since December, and the doctors have told him he can’t return to work- thus losing not only their income and health insurance but also his pension from the State of Arizona he would have had after retiring. This is only the beginning of the medical treatment and bills that Jade and his family will incur during this fight.
Jade has been through so much already. He has lost both of his parents and now, because of Covid, many family members. His beloved retired K-9 partner Jax in December also passed away.
He and Wendi have four children, and two grandchildren who are the light of his life and his world. After serving his country and the people of the State of Arizona, the least we can do is offer our support in any way possible.
Former Marine and Army Corporal Henry “Jade” Gullion, who until recently worked as part of the K-9 Service dog unit for the Arizona Department of Corrections, is an amazing man. The doctors have recently discovered a Granuloma in the lungs, requiring very expensive tests and procedures. In Addition, Jade was diagnosed with an unknown blood disease. His sweet wife Wendi who has Lupus, is using her FMLA leave from work to help take care of Jade, and their children and grandchildren need our support, prayers and if possible monetary donations.
Here’s his story:
He served first as a Marine, completing tours of duty in Afghanistan. He followed his dream and became a K-9 Officer for the Arizona Department of Corrections. Fast forward a little while and Jade met his wife Wendi. He had always felt the need to return to the military and did so, this time serving in the Army as a Combat Medic. Shortly after enlisting he was called to active duty tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was part of the personal security detail for his Commander. While serving he received numerous awards. His housing unit was hit with an explosive which resulted in a traumatic brain injury and he was sent to Ft. Bliss to recover. He later returned home to Arizona and went back to work with the K-9 Unit, and became a member of the National Police and K-9 Association. He worked with various State agencies doing drug searches, tracking escaped inmates and helping to find lost and missing persons. Then the Covid-19 pandemic hit. This past December he was diagnosed with Covid and hospitalized twice- both times with double pneumonia. His kidneys were functioning at 60%, his blood levels were all over the place and he was at high risk for blood clots so he was placed on blood thinners. During a chest x-ray doctors located a tumor on his right lung. They need to verify the type of cancer in order to determine the course of treatment and in order to do so, they need to perform a biopsy which is very expensive. He has had emergency procedures to drain fluids from his chest to help him breathe. He also had five grand mal seizures and was flown by helicopter to Barrows Neurological Institute to determine the cause. Additionally, jade has been diagnosed with Granuloma and an unknown blood disease. Now he must undergo a bone marrow biopsy to see if the cancer has spread and what this blood disorder is.
The hospital wants the $1,000 deductible up front before the procedure can happen. Jade and Wendi still owe $25k out of pocket from just the helicopter flight to Barrows. He's been out of work since December, and the doctors have told him he can’t return to work- thus losing not only their income and health insurance but also his pension from the State of Arizona he would have had after retiring. This is only the beginning of the medical treatment and bills that Jade and his family will incur during this fight.
Jade has been through so much already. He has lost both of his parents and now, because of Covid, many family members. His beloved retired K-9 partner Jax in December also passed away.
He and Wendi have four children, and two grandchildren who are the light of his life and his world. After serving his country and the people of the State of Arizona, the least we can do is offer our support in any way possible.
Organizer
Jason Whitlock
Organizer
Mesa, AZ