Police chief keeps smile on his face as he battles leukemia

Ohioville police Chief Mark Smilek has always been a jokester, so it’s not surprising to those who know him best that he's still laughing, even through the tough stuff.

In the prime of this life, just 44 years old and newly married, doctors diagnosed Smilek with a rare type of leukemia in May. He's been in and out of the hospital 60 times and is on chemotherapy. He has had lots of blood transfusions and soon will need a bone marrow transplant.

The community has rallied around him, and even some strangers showed up to a spaghetti dinner fundraiser this week to help Smilek out.

“It's empowering,” Smilek said. “It brings home what it means to be a police officer from them and from the community.”

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On Friday morning, the jurors room inside the Beaver County Courthouse was packed with people who came to donate blood at a drive. Some came just to help, doing anything they can for Smilek, who can't work right now.

“Well, that's what the thin blue line is all about,” said sheriff’s deputy Steven Montani. “And his case, he needs our help, so it was a pleasure for me to be here.”

Smilek has been a police officer in Beaver County for a total 18 years, the chief of Ohioville for more than four. He briefly left the county to serve with the Pentagon police in Washington, D.C., during the aftermath of 9/11.

"Mark's going through a lot and when he was diagnosed with leukemia, he needed some blood transfusions," said Beaver County Sheriff Tony Guy. "I thought it would be good to give back a little bit."

The support means the world to Smilek and his wife, who are batting this disease together.

“In sickness and in health, literally,” Hillary Smilek said.

Mark Smilek has a long road ahead of him. The bone marrow transplant probably won't happen for another year. If you would like to help, click here.

Cox Media Group