GoFundMe Effort Launched For Westport Firefighter With Cancer

WESTPORT, CT — A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help 46-year-old Westport Firefighter Turk Aksoy, a 13-year veteran of the town's Bravest who is battling Stage 4 Metastatic Colon Cancer.

As of today, April 30, the effort on behalf of Aksoy and his children Tess and Tyson, has raised more than $22,000 toward a goal of $50,000. It was started by fellow Westport Firefighter Nick Marsan. Donations have poured in from firefighters in upstate Connecticut and New York City, among others.

Additionally, a benefit has been scheduled by the department for May 19 at Partners Cafe in East Norwalk. Tickets are $25, and can be purchased by clicking here. The event will feature a raffle, food, drinks and live music.

"Those of us who serve as first responders know the importance that is placed on taking care of one another," Marsan wrote. "We, the brothers and sisters of the Westport Fire Department, have a responsibility to take care of Turk, Tess, and Tyson the best we can. We cannot however, do it alone. Please help us help Turk and his children."

Aksoy was diagnosed with the disease in 2014 and was able to continue working through his treatments until this past December when those treatments were ramped up to a more aggressive nature. At the time of his diagnosis, he was given three years to live, and is still battling the disease more than five years later.

But then in January of this year, Aksoy's 45-year-old wife, Denise, passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind Aksoy and his two children. Denise Aksoy was a former veteran paramedic with Hunters Ambulance in Meriden, and also was a grief counselor at Hope After Loss, according to her obituary.

Westport Firefighter Matt Wille tells Patch that despite the tough hand Aksoy has been delt, Aksoy is continuing to fight hard. Aksoy's not the not the type of guy to ask for help, but he's been very appreciative of all the support.

"His spirits are high," said Wille. "He's a fighter, he's fought harder and longer than a lot of people, and we're proud to be able to help. It's what we do, we come to help those in need. We're a family."

Click here to view the GoFundMe page for Turk Aksoy and his children.

— Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.