L.A. County Deputy Robert Corrales has probably faced his share of dangerous and potentially deadly situations on the streets of the Los Angeles area, but this time the veteran deputy is facing the fight of his life.

Diagnosed with myeloid leukemia, Deputy Corrales needs is awaiting a suitable donor for a bone marrow transplant as part of his treatment against the disease. Although he has medical insurance, it does not provide coverage for some   expenses that involved an emergency trip home for medical treatment while on a cruise. Those expenses amounted to about $30,000.

Two of Corrales’ colleagues stepped up and organized an effort to help his family raise the funds that are needed to cover the extra expenses. Deputies John Maio and Deputy Mike Ascolese got in touch with some friends in the music industry who were able to enlist the aid of some well-known artists who agreed to donate various items for an auction to help the Corrales family.

Included among the musicians who lent a helping hand are drummer Neil Peart of Rush, who donated an autographed drum head, despite his usual reluctance to affix his signature to anything.

Fellow drummer Alex Van Halen signed snare drum from his personal kit as well as a drum head that was signed by himself, brother Eddie and Eddie’s son Wolfgang.

Paul Stanley of KISS donated a autographed Silvertone guitar and the members of Velvet Revolver signed a Epiphone guitar that had been donated to the cause by Guitar Center’s Dave Weiderman. Velvet Revolver’s Matt Sorum also donated a pair of autographed drumsticks as well as drum head that he signed on which he also drew a caricature of himself.

The items were auctioned on eBay with bidding ending yesterday, and it appears that about $4600 was raised, which should provide some much-needed help for Deputy Corrales and his family.