BROTHER IN ARMS
Wounded Chester cop now going to bat for sister battling cancer
Retired Chester Police Capt. Alan Davis, shown with his sister Paula. She was there for him when he was shot in the line of duty. Now he’s returning the favor as she battles cancer.
When her police officer brother was rushed to the hospital after being shot in the line of duty in March 2016, Paula Davis was one of the first people at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, and her support never waned.
Since she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of uterine cancer back in Feb. 2, retired Chester Police Capt. Alan Davis said it’s now his turn to have his beloved sibling’s back.
Come Friday night, he’s hoping that friends will help him and other family members help her.
A benefit is being held in the Heritage Ballroom at Barnaby’s of Ridley Township from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Tickets, $30 each and $50 per couple, include beer, wine and buffet and will be available at the door or in advance by calling or texting niece Ashley Frick at 610331-1421.
“Even now, she’s usually asking me how my doctor stuff is going, how my therapy is going,” said Davis, who lost the use of his right arm and was forced to retire on disability as a result of the shooting. “She is still more worried about me than herself.”
Davis, 53, said he and Paula, 57, of Trainer, have always been close – thick as thieves.
Growing up in Upper Chichester, whenever there was anything broken in the house, especially a window, it was a good bet they were involved, he said, laughing. A middle child of six, he said Paula sometimes felt the she was left out both by her older and younger siblings, but her “big heart” always shone through, regardless.
“When I was in the service, she always made sure I got a box every week,” said Davis, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1981-1989. Along with his favorite Tastykakes, she would include a card or letter filling him in on what was happening back home.
“She always knew when I was coming home,” he said. “She would pick me up so I could surprise our mom.”
She’s been there for him at every turn, said Davis, noting that they talk to one another almost every day.
“She’s always there for everybody,” said their sister, 64-yearold Shirley Rettinger of Schreveport, La. Rettinger and her husband, Lyle, made the drive together and arrived in Delaware County earlier this week. Another sister, 68-year-old Marlene Bennett, herself a breast cancer survivor, is expected to make the trek from her residence in Morgantown, Berks County, to attend the benefit. Alan Davis said he’s had some bouts with skin cancer over the years.
All proceeds from the benefit will go directly to Paula Davis for her recovery, and to help offset the financial burdens that frequently go hand-in-hand with cancer. Paula, a graduate of Chichester High School, due to downsizing lost her job of 25 years about a year before her diagnosis.
“This has been an extra hard struggle for Paula,” reads the flier announcing the benefit.
In addition to cancer, Paula also has diabetes, her brother said. While state medical assistance is covering most of the medical bills, he said his sister is having a hard time covering the costs of daily life. He said her unemployment ran out a while ago.
“Financially, it’s very difficult,” he said.
Davis said he and his wife, Denise, are doing all they can to help out financially. “Whatever she needs,” he said. When his sister’s car was repossessed, he said they were able to replace it. He also noted that his sister’s landlord is allowing her to live in her apartment rent free, but there’s no way of knowing how long that generosity will continue.
“She needs our help,” said Frick.
Alan and Shirley both expressed their gratitude to Frick, a niece of Paula’s through marriage who not only organized the benefit, but has been with Paula through all of her treatments. Alan Davis, who lives in Chester County, only recently got the green light from his own doctors to drive.
Since her diagnosis, Paula Davis has undergone two surgeries, the first a hysterectomy and the second for a port to allow for her treatments, Frick said. Paula Davis’ treatment included five rounds of radiation, which she concluded on May 11. She still has eight months of chemotherapy ahead.
“She helped raise me … I love her like a mom,” said Frick, herself a mother of four children, ages 13 to 2. “We feel very fortunate to know Paula. Paula has a
“We feel very fortunate to know Paula. Paula has a kind heart and is always trying to go out of her way to help others. This is why we are trying to show her how much she means to us, also. She has an amazing strength and courage in dealing with her cancer.”
— Ashley Frick, a niece of Paula Davis
kind heart and is always trying to go out of her way to help others. This is why we are trying to show her how much she means to us, also,” said Frick. “She has an amazing strength and courage in dealing with her cancer.”
Frick lives nearby Paula and helps her put on her compression socks every morning. She needs them since the surgeries to help avoid blood clots.
Frick was with Paula when she picked out her stylish wig.
And Frick and her 2-yearold son Jaxson were with Paula when she rang the bell at Crozer signaling her last radiation treatment on May 11.
Understandably, Paula’s spirits have been up and down.
“She wants to make sure she pulls through this so she can be here for my kids,” Frick said. “I’ve known her my whole life and she’s always been there for me.” Frick will celebrate her 33rd birthday on June 15.
It was Frick’s idea to organize the benefit and with the help of Christine Corson, Frick’s brother Ted’s fiancé, Frick said all the work has been a labor of love. Frick and Corson have been coordinating ideas with other family members and are looking forward to a successful event.
Frick said the ballroom holds 250 people and as of Wednesday evening, they’ve sold 100 tickets, and counting.
There will be 50-50s and raffles at the benefit. Among the about 20 baskets up for raffle are tickets to Morey’s Pier & Beachfront Water Parks in Wildwood. N.J., Blue Rocks baseball in Delaware and Longwood Gardens in Chester County.
“Everybody has been helpful and supportive,” Frick said. “It’s all for a good cause.”
Describing Paula as very independent, Frick said it’s been difficult for a woman who’s been on her own since she was 17 to accept help from others.
“I know she would want people to know how grateful she is, but at the same time she doesn’t want anyone to feel obligated because she has cancer,” Frick said. “She is very emotional about it.”
Though she’s not supposed to be out too often in crowds, Davis said his sister already informed him that she wouldn’t for the world miss him being named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Pennsylvania Shield and Square masonic club at a banquet in Philadelphia on June 26.
“That’s how she is,” Davis said.
Frick recalled the day that Paula Davis got her wig, courtesy of the American Cancer Society.
“I think she was really excited. She knew how expensive they are, and she was so grateful” Frick said. “She talked about volunteering for them when this was all over. She already wants to give back.”
If you cannot attend the benefit, but would like to make a contribution, mail checks/gift cards to Frick at 1008 Langley St., Trainer, PA 19061.
Barnaby’s is located at 2107 MacDade Blvd., Ridley Township.