MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Rutherford County patrol Officer Andy Towle is used to protecting and serving strangers. But now he's trying to protect his wife from what seems like a losing battle.

Sandy Towle was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma cancer in April, and for the past four years, she's been suffering from systemic lupus. On the family's blog, Sandy Towle writes, "The odds are greatly stacked against me, but the good news, I'm a fighter!"

Right now the Towles are in Texas seeking treatment. Sandy Towle's only options at this time are experimental treatments. She writes about volunteering to be a guinea pig.

"Her position on this is, 'It could help me, and I could get better. And if not, it will help somebody somehow,'" said Chaplain Tim Eldred of the Sheriff's Department.

In order for Andy Towle to be by his wife's side in Texas, some of his co-workers are helping out by donating sick time.

The medical bills are also piling up, but friends and co-workers are hoping to raise money to help.

"Just them donating as much sick time as they have and saying not to worry about it right now, just take care of her, that helped lift our spirits, too," Andy Towle said.

Sandy Towle's husband and two children are what's keeping her going. She said she has faith and believes in a god who performs miracles every day. She believes she will be healed.

"Part of her faith is believing God is going to be there and God is going to heal her," Andy Towle said.

There are a couple of ways to help the Towle family with their mounting medical bills. There will be a barbecue fundraiser June 19 at Scenic Drive Baptist Church in Murfreesboro. Tickets are available at the sheriff's office or by paying at the door.

Donations can also be made on the Towles' blog.