Allison Casias fought to become a Denver cop. On the job, she fought crime on the streets of the southwest Denver neighborhood in which she grew up. Now she’s fighting back from a near-fatal stroke.
“I was raised to be a fighter,” Casias said. “Sometimes I get frustrated and tired, but I’m not ready to give up yet.”
Tonight, Casias will receive the Cindy Acree Hope Award during the Colorado Neurological Institute’s annual tribute to people who have shown extraordinary courage, strength and hope after facing a neurological condition.
The Hope award is named after state Rep. Cindy Acree, R-Aurora, who suffered a stroke in 1991 while undergoing surgery for epilepsy.
After suffering from a series of migraine headaches, one morning last October, Casias could not be awakened.
She was rushed unconscious to Swedish Medical Center where a team of neurologists, neurosurgeons and specialists treated her for a rare form of stroke called “extensive dural venous thrombosis.” The condition blocks vessels in the brain and prevents blood from draining.
After the initial treatment meant to open up the blocked vessels in her brain, she suffered a cerebellar hemorrhage that resulted in buildup of fluid in her brain. Within 72 hours she had developed life-threatening complications.
Doctors wanted to try a second surgery but worried that she would not survive.
But Casias “definitely beat the odds,” said Dr. Christopher Fanale, a neurosurgeon with the Colorado Neurological Institute who treated Allison. “The extensive blood clots were stupendous.”
Nearly seven months after the second surgery, Casias has re-learned to walk, talk and drive.
Now she’s working hard to return to the police force.
Casias said she knew she would become a police officer at age 14 after going on a ride-along with an uncle who is a Wyoming cop.
After making it into the Denver Police Department on her third try in 2005, Casias patrolled the streets of District 4.
Casias said she misses her job and dreams of becoming a narcotics detective.
“I miss it all,” Casias said. “I wish I could go back now. I want to so badly.”
Tonight, Casias’ family, doctors, friends and fellow officers will be present when she accepts her award at the Denver Police Protective Association.
“She is the strongest person I’ve ever met in my life,” said Jodi Marzano, Casias’ partner of four years. “I knew if anyone could beat this, it would be her.”
Casias’ mother, Patricia Casias, agrees.
“She’s a walking miracle,” she said. “I really believe it’s the prayers that brought Allison back.”
Annette Espinoza: 303-954-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com
