The Insider: "Brothers in blue" play ball

In the past, any physical description of Tulane police officer Clarence Odum would have painted an image of someone in excellent health. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 220 pounds, the former professional football player was part of the Tulane University Police Department bike patrol unit where he often covered 75 miles in a single shift.

Fast-forward three months and today's description of Odum is quite different.

Unable to work because of declining health, Odum must undergo dialysis four times a day and is awaiting his turn on a kidney transplant list. He has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and renal failure.

To help Odum with personal and medical bills, Lt. Stanley Cosper Sr. of TUPD has organized a charity softball game pitting Tulane police officers against those of the New Orleans Police Department.

“Several (TUPD) officers donated vacation time after Clarence had exhausted all of his paid time off, but that time eventually ran out,” says Cosper. “When a man is unable to put milk on the table for his family it can be a hard thing. We knew that we had to do something else to help.”

Odum, who abruptly fell ill in early March, says he and his family are grateful for the overwhelming support from fellow officers.

“I'm physically, financially and emotionally drained,” says Odum. “I never thought I would be choosing between buying diabetes test strips or putting gas in my car to get to the clinic for dialysis. It's hard to express how their help makes me feel. It's wonderful.”

The softball game will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday (June 23) at Turchin Stadium. Admission is $5 and the public is invited to attend. A silent auction also will be held at 7 p.m. in the Wilson Center.

For more information, call 504-865-5381.

Do you have news for the Insider? Email insider@tulane.edu today!