#TeamZack - Help Support Our Hero

Zack is a brave young soldier who has served in the United States Army for over 4 years. He recently returned from his deployment in Iraq to have a "cyst" removed from his hand. We were all shocked and saddened to learn that it wasn't a cyst, but an extremely rare cancer in adults. Zack has been diagnosed with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma. He’s undergoing very aggressive chemotherapy that began on July 13th, 2015 and will continue for one year. We appreciate any prayers sent his way to support Zack on his courageous journey.

Zack's Journey:
In 2013, after Zack’s first deployment in Afghanistan, he noticed a growth in his right hand and was informed it was probably a cyst. As time passed, this cyst started causing him pain and stiffness, so he was hoping to have it removed before leaving for his next tour in Iraq. Unfortunately, they did not remove it before he left.

While in Iraq, Zack worked until he could no longer use his trigger finger and carry his rifle properly. At this point, he was sent back to the United States for scans and further testing at the Kansas City University Medical Center. Zack finally had surgery on June 5th, 2015. A surgeon removed the tumor (originally thought to be a cyst), which was large, wrapped around, and also attached to the bone of his thumb. His surgeon sent him to an oncologist at the Kansas City Cancer Center, where he was diagnosed with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a very rare, fast-growing cancer. More testing was necessary…

The PET scan showed abnormalities in his bones and that the lymph nodes had been compromised, so the next step was a pelvic bone biopsy. Sadly, the results confirmed the cancer had spread to his bones. Zack had surgery to have a port placed into his chest and began a very aggressive chemotherapy regimen on July 13th, 2015.

He currently resides in Fort Riley, Kansas, and has to commute to Kansas City Cancer Center each week for chemotherapy. It is a 2½ hour drive from Fort Riley and will be for 51 weeks total. Every 3rd week is a 5-day consecutive treatment regimen so Zack and his mother have to stay at a hotel, as traveling 2 ½ hours each day is too much of a burden on his body. We hope to have him back to Minnesota soon so we can all help support and take care of him. We are having a benefit for Zack on October 11th to help with medical and living expenses.

Zack is a strong, amazing young man with a great outlook on life. He is someone we are all so incredibly proud of and we are very blessed to have him in our lives. Please send him lots of healthy and healing energy. Let’s all help Zack kick cancer’s ass!

#TeamZack