Okanogan County Sheriff Paul Budrow announced yesterday he has leukemia. Budrow teared up as he made the emotional announcement while emceeing at an event on Veterans Day.
Budrow, 63, said he learned of the diagnosis a week ago. He had no symptoms besides loss of appetite and weight loss in the last three months, he told MVE. The diagnosis came following a routine checkup to renew his commercial driver license. His doctor ordered a full blood work up, something Budrow had requested but hadn’t been able to get in 10 years. The next day, Budrow received a call that he has leukemia.
“It looks like you’ve had it for a while. You just didn’t realize it,” Budrow said he was told,
Budrow will embark on a year-long treatment, the first two months of which will be most intense, he said. He plans to work remotely online and will have his backup undersheriff and chief deputy.
“I can do most of my stuff online because I’m not out on the street working the road,” said Budrow. “Being that it’s the sheriff’s position, it’s very easy- I can do all my legal document, paperwork and stuff like that, I can get everything taken care of that way. I can continue to monitor my grants and stuff of that nature. For the two months being over there it will all be online, zoom. Then come back. Just once a month, have to go back over there for a transfusion.”
Budrow said he has no history of cancer in his family, but in his research, he learned that leukemia is the second most common type of cancer caused by 9/11. Budrow was doing a training at the Federal Reserve Bank three blocks from Ground Zero when the World Trade Center towers fell. The intense dust made it difficult to see more than a foot in front of you and turned everyone ashen, he said.
Budrow will receive chemotherapy and an infusion every 2-3 days, necessitating him to be closer to the treatment center. He and his family will be moving to Seattle for the first two months during treatment at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
Budrow said if his leukemia is under control in the next year, he will take a daily pill for the rest of his life.
“It’s survivable. They don’t believe it will ever go away,” he said.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help with the Budrows’ medical expenses.
Prayers for Paul and his family.