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A Nassau County police officer is now raising five children on his own after his wife lost her battle with colon cancer.
Jazmine Dones died after the cancer spread throughout her body, according to a GoFundMe set up to support her husband, Rob Dones, a First Precinct officer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran. She was 39.
Three of the couple’s children together are under the age of 2.
“Rob is a proud Nassau County Police officer and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who has dedicated his life to serving and protecting others,” the GoFundMe page for Dones reads.
“Today, he faces the greatest challenge as the sole parent of five children, including three babies under the age of two.”
The fundraiser, organized by a colleague on the police force over the weekend, says donations will go toward funeral costs, household bills, childcare and daily living expenses, as Dones adjusts to life caring for his children as a single parent.
“She passed away surrounded by the love of her family, leaving behind an unimaginable void,” the GoFundMe reads.
Hundreds of contributions
As of Tuesday morning, the campaign has raised more than $44,000 from nearly 400 donations.
The Nassau Police Veterans Association shared the fundraiser on Facebook, calling on the community to rally around the family.
“Even though she fought this diagnosis with great strength, the cancer unfortunately spread throughout her body, leaving Rob to face raising their 5 children without his beloved wife,” the group wrote. “Please consider supporting Rob & his children while they navigate everyday life during this extremely difficult time.”
Top: courtesy of GoFundMe
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