A golf tournament will be held on March 31 for Woodbridge firefighter Jeremy Thigpin, who recently had open-heart surgery. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)

Firefighters to raise funds at golf tournament

Proceeds will benefit family of Woodbridge firefighter recovering from open-heart surgery

When firefighter Jeremy Thigpin first found out he would need open-heart surgery, he was more concerned about his job than anything.

But his captain and fellow firefighters wouldn't give him a chance to worry about work or money. Volunteers covered his shift and the department gave him pay for the work they did.

Now, three months later, as Thigpin continues to recover, the team will support him again, teeing off to raise money for his children.

The Woodbridge Firefighter Association will be hosting a fundraiser golf tournament for Thigpin called "Operation Have a Heart" at 1:30 p.m. on Monday. The tournament and dinner will be at The Reserve At Spanos Park golf course on Eight Mile Road.

Thigpin, a single father of two, was born with heart problems. In mid-March he was diagnosed with having an aneurysm in his heart the size of a child's fist.

"At first, I was thinking nothing of it," Thigpin said. "(But) then it was kind of a shock."

Thigpin explained that just a year before his diagnosis his cardiologist had told him he may have a problem. However, tests came back negative. But this year, after a routine checkup, Thigpin found out he wasn't so lucky.

A few weeks later, on March 31, he underwent open heart surgery. At the time of surgery, Thigpin was still in his probation period with the department and was not covered by worker's compensation or the company's insurance plan.

"It was up in the air whether it was going to be a Workers Comp issue. (He was) just coming off probation, so he didn't have a lot of coverage at that point," said Capt. Steve Butler.

It took three months for Thigpin to recover. He moved back into his parents' home and was sometimes too weak to even dress himself.

"Recently, it's been trying," Thigpin said. "The first month was complete hell."

While he recovered, firefighters from his station took tuns working his shift without pay. This allowed Thigpin to receive a monthly salary.

"He's a brother, and when one of your brothers falls, you step up to pick up the pieces. And that's what the guys did," Butler said.

This time around, the group is trying to earn a total of $10,000 in tournament fees and donations.

Thigpin said his children are doing well but that he is grateful for the firefighters supporting him and his family once more.

"I was completely blown away, shocked, happy, relieved," Thigpin said.

Before coming to the Woodbridge Fire Department, Thigpin worked for the Galt Fire Department for about three years. He is proud to be a fire fighter and feels it's the best job anyone could ask for.

"The environment is completely different from any other job," Thigpin said. "They act as family. (And) everybody comes together for you."

Contact reporter Natalie Flynn at natalief@lodinews.com.