A police officer battling stage three cancer is getting support from not only his partner, but also an entire Southern California community, and beyond.
Gregory Pilkington and Jason Zdunich have been partners at the San Diego Police Department for only about a year, but their bond goes deeper than their joint service to the community.
Zdunich said he thought there was an instant connection because Pilkington, who is a military reservist, had just returned from deployment and they shared both a military and law enforcement bond.
Zdunich who is a husband and father of two served in the U.S. Air Force.
For the past year, the two officers always rode together. That changed a week ago.
"I went in [to see the doctor] because I thought I had a hemorrhoid," Zdunich explained. "He [the doctor] just said you're chockfull of [rectal] cancer in there."
Zdunich, 35, will undergo chemotherapy to shrink it so doctors can cut it out.
Pilkington is trying to raise $25,000 for whatever Zdunich's family needs. He's created donation page. Click here to visit the GOFundMe page.
In just five days, 288 people have already raised more than $23,000.
Zdunich is truly touched.
"There are people I've never even met that just say, 'I'm going to be there,'" Zdunich said with tears in his eyes.
It is only fitting since he dedicated his life to serving strangers.
For now, Pilkington is riding solo without his partner.
"I just don't like anyone [else] enough," Pilkington said.
He is doing what he can since he cannot protect Zdunich from this killer.
He said Zdunich will pull through and fill that seat again.
