Special to the Herald
Melissa Gililland’s husband of eight years passed away two years after he was diagnosed with glioblastoma – a devastating form of brain cancer.
“In many ways I started grieving Jake in 2020, as soon as we understood that his diagnosis was terminal,” Melissa says. “Because I had experience working as a medic, I feel privileged that I was lucky enough to be able to take on the role of nursing my husband.” She is quick to point out that none of this would have been possible without the support of his employers and the 200 Club.
The 200 Club is a 501(c) (3) organization that “cares for those who care for us” by providing for the surviving spouses and dependents of first responders who have lost their lives or sustain critical injuries.
This nonprofit organization has provided more than $3.8 million to support over 100 families of fallen and critically injured first responders in the 20 counties the 200 Club serves. Melissa and Jake were living in Effingham County with their daughter Kinsley, who was only four years old when Jake was diagnosed with glioblastoma.
“As I was in the medical corps it was easier for me to apply to be transferred from Mississippi to be with Jake on base in Virginia.”
In 2016 they left the military to settle in Effingham County to be close to family. “My father is a veteran and retired to Georgia,” Melissa explains. “We were expecting Kinsley and I wanted her to grow up near her cousins and grandparents.” As well as raising their daughter, Melissa qualified as a teacher while Jake decided to continue to serve. He pursued a career in law enforcement – first with Savannah and then joining the Chatham County Police Department while enjoying family life in Rincon.
It was soon after he began working with the county that Jake became sick. “I cannot say enough good things about Chatham County Police Department,” Melissa states. “Jake loved working and they accommodated his illness for as long as possible, transferring him to the training department and collecting him so that he could work when he could no longer drive. They even promoted him before he passed away.”
Jake’s employers introduced the family to the 200 Club. “They were so kind and understanding, making donations to help with treatments and the costs of caring for Jake. They never intruded but they were always there for us on the sidelines whenever we needed anything,” Melissa remembers. “It was unusual for the 200 Club to help the family of someone who was terminally ill; but they could not have done more, meeting with all of us and even attending his promotion ceremony at the Gilliland home during Jake’s last days.”
The 200 Club always accommodates each family’s situation and is flexible about helping with what is needed the most, from funeral costs to ongoing emotional and financial support.
Melissa is especially grateful that Kinsley’s college costs will be taken care of when she graduates from high school.
“It is such a major relief, and she knows that her dad is still taking care of us because of his service to the police and the amazing support provided by the 200 Club.”
Melissa makes sure that her now nine-year-old daughter remembers her father. “She is the spitting image of Jake when he was a child, and we take time to look at photographs of him and I tell her stories about her dad and when she was little.”
The 200 Club is appealing for people to donate, become a member, volunteer, and make bequests to help it continue its mission to provide for fallen heroes’ families. “I am so grateful to the 200 Club,” says Melissa. “They still remember us on Mother’s Day with flowers and with a check at Christmas and Thanksgiving. It really is a wonderful organization.”
For more information about how to support the 200 Club, click on its website at: www.our200club.com, call 912-721-4418 or email info@our200club.com.
