Tom Grenham from Cops for Kids with Cancer presented a $5,000 check to the Merck family on Thursday, Jan. 13. From left, Deputy Chief Joseph Bombardier, Tom Grenham of Cops for Kids with Cancer, Amber Merck, Walter Merck being held by Ryan Merck, Wyatt ‘Tater Tot’ Merck, Chief Timothy Hanlon, Peyton Merck, Alice Stiger, and Charlotte Merck. (Photo courtesy Whitman Police Department) 
The family of Walter Merck visited the Whitman Police station Thursday to accept the funds and meet with members of the department. (Photo courtesy Whitman Police Department) 
Whitman Police Chief Timothy Hanlon plays with Walter Merck, known as Walter the Warrior, at the station along with Walter’s siblings. (Photo courtesy Whitman Police Department)
WHITMAN — Whitman Police Chief Timothy Hanlon is pleased to announce that a local family received a donation recently from Cops for Kids with Cancer during a meet-and-greet at the Whitman Police headquarters.
On Thursday, Jan. 13, Tom Grenham from Cops for Kids with Cancer presented a $5,000 check to the Merck family. Whitman Police applied for the money through Cops for Kids with Cancer late last year to be given to the family to cover expenses relating to 1-year-old Walter, affectionately known as Walter the Warrior, who is currently battling cancer.
Walter’s parents, Ryan and Amber Merck, accepted the check along with several other family members. Chief Hanlon and Deputy Chief Joseph Bombardier were on hand for the presentation and met with the family as part of the event.
Walter was diagnosed with choroid plexus carcinoma, a rare form of brain cancer, just before his first birthday. Numerous treatments and surgeries have followed and Chief Hanlon, who has known the Merck family for many years, applied for the funds to assist the family in their time of need.
“Walter has proven to be an incredible fighter during his life, and we were happy to do whatever we could in order to help him and his family,” Chief Hanlon said. “This grant money will help alleviate some of the financial stress associated with providing the safest environment for Walter as he continues to thrive during his treatment. We are grateful to Cops for Kids with Cancer for providing these funds, and for all they do every day to assist families in the state battling with cancer.”
Also present for the check presentation was Walter’s grandmother Alice Stiger and siblings Peyton, Wyatt (known to many as “Tater Tot”) and Charlotte.
For more information on Cops for Kids with Cancer, click here.
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