Today’s story is an incredible one — but even more incredible is the resiliency today’s guest shows through his journey over the last several years. 

 

Ryan (Chopper) Masales started as a police officer in 2001 at the Vancouver Police Department. He worked there for 11 years before he transferred to Abby PD in 2010. He spent the major part of his career working as a undercover operator and is well known in the policing world for his knowledge of drugs. Chopper has been a good friend of the Delta Police Department for a long time — helping them through many significant investigations with his incredible undercover work. He’s done many wonderful things to help keep our community safe. To this day, he continues to work at the JIBC by delivering lectures to the new recruits related to drugs and UC work. 

 

On August 26th, 2016, Ryan suffered a seizure while at work. He was rushed to Vancouver General Hospital where a subsequent scan revealed a tumor in the left lower quadrant of his brain. Surgeons were able to safely remove 95% of his tumor but a biopsy of the tumor later revealed the devastating news that Ryan has Glioblastoma Multiforme: Stage 4, Terminal Brain Cancer. The expected survival rate of this form of cancer is no longer than 5 years and Chopper has just passed 3 years living with this disease. Though Chopper has come to terms with the fact that his life will probably not be spared, he has promised his family that he will continue to fight the fight. 

 

To say today’s episode is a powerful one is an understatement. The resiliency Chopper shows and the story he shares cannot be put into words — so we hope you all will listen in.

 

Chopper's family has created a Go Fund Me page to help raise $200,000 to get him to Arizona for treatment at the Ivy Brain Tumor Centre. 

 

If you want to support Chopper in the fight for his life, please go to: GoFundMe.com/f/Fight-Chopper.

 

Key Takeaways:

[:35] About today’s incredible episode.

[:55] Chief Neil Dubord gives his thanks to listeners and shares a special story from a fellow police officer listener.

[2:25] Chopper and Chief Neil Dubord provide some background on Chopper’s career as a police officer as well as his medical condition that first showed up in August, 2016.

[4:25] Chopper speaks about his career as a police officer and the passion he had for the various positions he held.

[9:00] Taking a look further into his career, Chopper speaks about his involvement in Project Starboard with DPD in 2016.

[16:14] Taking us to August 2016, Chopper recalls the day he learned about his brain tumor.

[25:17] Chopper shares the experience of receiving his diagnosis.

[34:42] Chopper shares some of his experiences living with glioblastoma.

[39:56] Chopper speaks about what he has done to manage his glioblastoma and general health.

[45:00] Chopper speaks about one of his other passions: art!

[49:34] What Chopper wants his legacy to be.

[55:00] Chopper’s wife, Estelize, speaks about her experiences as a police officer and her perspective on their journey together.

[1:03:57] Chopper shares a valuable story about Keith Logan from the BC Municipal Undercover Program (BCMUP).

[1:15:54] Chopper expresses how important social support has been during his journey.

[1:18:02] Chief Neil Dubord highlights some important pieces from Chopper’s story.

[1:19:35] Aaron Hill thanks Chopper for sharing his story on the podcast and shares his thoughts.

[1:20:20] Chief Neil Dubord thanks Chopper for joining the podcast and presents him with a commitment coin.

 

Mentioned in this Episode:

GoFundMe.com/f/Fight-Chopper

Chopper’s Instagram: @Choppermxforlife

FightChopper.Wordpress.com

Vancouver Police DepartmentCarolyn Sinclair - Manager of the Provincial Overdose Mobile Response Team

Project Starboard

Glioblastoma

Gord Downie

Marc Roy Tattoo Artist

 

Looking for More Episodes?

You can find more episodes of Bend Don’t Break on iTunes, Google Play, and most other major podcasting platforms.

 

Connect with the Delta Police Department:

Follow the Delta Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.