ROCKINGHAM — Justin Chance checked into Moore Regional Hospital on Nov. 29 for what he thought was a ruptured appendix.

Although doctors told him his appendix would need to be removed, they also discovered a tumor on his colon, which required removing a foot of his intestines.

After doctors determined it wasn’t cancerous, Chance was subsequently sent home, only to return to the emergency room two hours later. Doctors then discovered his intestines were twisted and removed another foot.

At only 24 years old, he has been a member of the Cordova Fire Department for eight years — currently ranked as a lieutenant — and with the Rockingham Police Department as a patrolman for three years.

Another place he frequents is Freedom Fitness in the Richmond Plaza shopping center to work out on a weekly basis, and on Thursday, the gym held a raffle to help continue raising money to help Chance with medical expenses.

“Justin is one of our members, and we just wanted to support him,” said Freedom Fitness owner Terri Robinson.

Robinson said with the help of her staff — Nicole Blackwelder, Adam Zeidin, Crystal Fugle and Robert David Sr. — they were able to raffle off a grand prize of a Nike gym bag, a free three-month membership, a weight belt, lifting straps, protein shakes and a Freedom Fitness T-shirt, among other items. Nicholas Bullard’s name was drawn in the Thursday raffle.

The money raised will go toward medical bills and expenses Chance has incurred while he was in the hospital, but he hopes there won’t be a need to keep fundraising for much longer.

Chance said he went back to work on Saturday, and his doctors told him that he should be back to 100 percent within the next six months.

“I ain’t got words for it,” he said. “For them to do this, it just shows what kind of people they are. For them to come together on my account, it means the world to me.”

Reach reporter Matt Harrelson at 910-817-2674, follow him on Twitter @mattyharrelson and listen to him at 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays on G-104.3 FM.

Matt Harrelson | Daily Journal Cordova Fire Department lieutenant and Rockingham Police Department patrolman Justin Chance picks the winning name out of a bucket to see who will win the grand prize presented by Freedom Fitness owner Terri Robinson. Proceeds from the raffle went toward Chance’s medical bills.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC_0397.jpgMatt Harrelson | Daily Journal Cordova Fire Department lieutenant and Rockingham Police Department patrolman Justin Chance picks the winning name out of a bucket to see who will win the grand prize presented by Freedom Fitness owner Terri Robinson. Proceeds from the raffle went toward Chance’s medical bills.

By Matt Harrelson

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