On Friday, Feb. 25, Dillon Reichel will undergo surgery to remove a stage 2-3 glioma brain tumor.

 

While sleeping on Jan. 18, Dillon experienced a grand mal seizure which woke his fiancee Vynessa. She provided care until paramedics arrived and rushed Dillon to the emergency room. There, doctors discovered the mass in his brain.

 

 

 

This diagnosis came only a month after Dillon and Vynessa learned they are expecting twins. Vynessa, a high school art teacher, is due to give birth in July.

 

Dillon’s surgery, an awake craniotomy with the goal of removing as much of the tumor as possible, will be performed at Penn Medicine Brain Tumor Center in Philadelphia under the care of Dr. Nduka Amankulor, a leading cancer immunobiologist. Doctors will analyze the removed tissue to determine the tumor’s aggressiveness and plan the next steps in treatment. Dr. Amankulor has instructed Dillon to expect radiation or chemotherapy to further eradicate the tumor.

 

Dillon will spend a few days in intensive care before returning home and beginning physical therapy. His doctor has granted him six to eight weeks of disability leave, during which time he will receive 66% of his normal pay from C.F. Martin & Co. guitar factory, where he works as a string technician.

 

With reduced income, twins on the way and untold health expenses ahead, Dillon and Vynessa face a staggering financial challenge.

 

Although Dillon has health insurance through his employer, he will still be responsible for at least a $9,000 copay for his surgery.

 

Dillon and Vynessa were planning a nursery in their Philipsburg, New Jersey home, but never had the chance to begin this happy project before being confronted with Dillon’s illness and a suddenly-full schedule of doctor appointments, MRIs and paperwork.

 

Dillon’s doctors have instructed him not to drive while on medication to prevent another seizure. His co-worker Adam Esposito has provided him with rides to work while he awaits surgery. Doctors expect Dillon will be behind the wheel again, but the growing family is in need of a safer vehicle to carry the precious cargo once the twins are born.

 

 

 

*

 

I'm Chris Devlin, organizer of this fundraiser for my good friend and longtime Mad Conductor band mate Dillon. Together we’ve had many adventures and made many friends along the way. Now, I'm calling on those friends and new ones too to join our effort helping Dillon and his family during their time of need.

 

Considering the emotional weight that Dillon and Vynessa are carrying, I know that our community will not allow them to bear the financial burden as well.

 

Our primary goal is $10,000 to cover the cost of Dillon’s surgery copay. But $20,000 can provide them with the funding needed for a safe and happy start to their family, which, to the benefit of the world, is about to double in its beloved magnificence.

 

Thank you for your contributions and help in promoting this campaign for Dillon, my friend and yours.

 

 

 

*

 

Dillon Reichel, 34, is a man of many talents. He is a multi-instrumentalist, skilled on piano and various stringed instruments, but on a guitar, he channels the very soul of the universe. His abilities also extend to the kitchen, where he pours patience and passion into his fantastically flavorful pho broths, and to the workshop, where he crafts marvelous creations from scraps of beautiful wood he salvages from Martin. On top of all that, Dillon is never without energy to go back-to-back rounds on the disc golf course, where he sends his discs soaring through the air with Thor-like power. He welcomes and encourages newcomers, sharing his love and vast knowledge of the game with the inspiration of a man destined to be a remarkable father.

 

*

 

Meet Dr Nduka Amankulor