Donate to Mike Tyson's Medical and Recovery Fund

Many of you know Mike Tyson, but for those who don’t, let us introduce you to him! Mike hails from Alcoa, TN, and worked at Apple for a few decades before setting out to start his own company. Mike is one of those rare types who will give you the shirt off his back if you are in need. His parents raised him to help others, period. Mike especially is involved with at-risk youth - helping them get on their feet - and being a mentor to dozens of young adults stepping out into the world of business for their first time. Mike is a blessing to his friends - full of fantastic stories of his time in high tech - but also his youth as an athlete and learning computer network skills growing up in his hometown. Mike has traveled the world supporting Apple execs, building large-scale SANs, and deepening his lengthy resume of technology skills and leadership.

Recently, Mike had some health setbacks...

Over the course of the past year, Mike began experiencing discomfort in his lower back near his tailbone. The discomfort turned to increased pain, so much so that Mike sought out a diagnosis from his doctor. Initial findings were a hematoma that was encroaching on his nerve endings in his back. It became difficult to sleep and even go to the bathroom without severe pain. After further medical evaluation in Austin, Texas (an MRI, lots of blood work, and more), the prognosis became more dire than just a simple hematoma removal. A biopsy revealed a tumor growth, and further tests revealed a rare cancer. This was Mike’s second bout with cancer, as he had survived brain cancer earlier in his life. Discouraging, but he was prepared for the fight ahead. Fortunately, the type of cancer he had (sacral conventional chordoma) meant he had a longer survival rate than some of the more aggressive cancers in this class (some are less than six months). With the removal of the tumor, Mike could prolong his survival rate with proper treatment. Surgery was scheduled at the end of March, and the tumor was successfully removed (about the size of a grapefruit). His treatment team was one of the few in the US that performed this type of surgery - so he was in the very best care. Surgery also required transplanting tissue from his leg to allow proper healing of the mass removed from his tailbone (he had a huge hole in his backside).

After surgery, Mike began the long road of healing - approximately seven weeks of proper rest (with close to 18 hours of sleep a day as prescribed by his doctor - and a heavy pill regimen - which he hates - but is a necessity for healing). Physical therapy would begin in late May/early June. His first week out of surgery was really difficult - immense pain and the inability to walk. But after another week in the hospital, he was finally able to stand and take a few steps - albeit with the help of a walker. Body functions are ‘rebooting’ and he is slowly recovering from the ordeal of the tumor removal. And also good news; no spreading of the cancer to other parts of the body (all elements of the original tumor have been removed).

Mike’s surgical and recovery costs have eaten up all of his resources, and his ability to work is compromised for the time being. We have started a GoFund Me page to help defray his medical costs. Your contributions and prayers will go a long way in helping Mike navigate this difficult time in his life. His family, friends, and co-workers all appreciate any help given. He has been surrounded by loving friends and is making a slow recovery back to a normal life. Notes of encouragement are also greatly appreciated to help his morale.

Thank you!