Southland police are rallying to help raise $30,000 for a former colleague accepted into an experimental stroke treatment programme in the United States.
Brian ''Blizz'' Cowie, who headed the Southland CIB team of more than 30, has severe communication difficulties and very limited movement down the right side of his body after a debilitating stroke almost three years ago, when he was 47.
The former detective senior sergeant and father of three sons left the police in April last year after a 28-year career.
He and his partner Jo Parnham, who is also a police officer, left Invercargill this week for Los Angeles, where Mr Cowie will undergo a new treatment.
A fusion protein called Etanercept will be injected into the back of his neck to rejuvenate parts of the brain in shock and his progress will be monitored over three weeks.
About 1000 people have had the treatment over the past three years, including Dunedin man Dave Griffin.
Most patients have reported improved movement and speech and a reduction in pain and fatigue, although the treatment is not a cure.
Detective Sergeant Mark McCloy said Mr Cowie and Ms Parnham saw the treatment on a television documentary and contacted the Institute of Neurological Recovery in Los Angeles to see if he was a suitable candidate.
The police fraternity had quickly rallied when they found out Mr Cowie had been accepted for treatment, he said.
So far, $16,500 had been raised in five weeks, and more was expected from a quiz night in Invercargill next week.
Many of the prizes and auction items for the quiz night had been provided by police staff, he said, as well as by people in Invercargill who knew Mr Cowie through his community involvement including rugby refereeing and schoolboy rugby coaching.
Until the fundraising began, work colleagues had felt ''pretty helpless'', Det Sgt McCloy said.
''Brian's stroke was a complete shock to everyone and it was a big hit for us in the CIB for our boss to go down like that,because he was a fairly fit, tough bugger ... We can identify with the family. It would be devastating for anyone.''
Mr Cowie's former colleagues still visited him and included him in social activities, Det Sgt McCloy said.
''When we sit round and talk about old cases or crooks that are raising their heads again, he knows exactly who you are talking about.
"There is nothing wrong with his memory.
''Possibly this treatment will help his communication. Hopefully. He also gets really tired, so we are hoping that will improve too.''
Mr McCloy said the fundraising campaign would continue.
If Mr Cowie responded well to the first injection he had the option of a second treatment later.
Mr Cowie and Ms Parnham declined to be interviewed, but said they were ''totally amazed'' by the generosity and kindness shown to them.
