Ethan Shelley was diagnosed with an 18cm benign Schwannoma, which originated on the left side of his abdomen, back by his left kidney. This all started as a little bit of back pain, trouble swallowing food, which then turned into fatigue and losing around 50 pounds along with added pain and being unable to sleep.

 

The tumor is pushing on his kidney, intestines, an artery, and nerves along his spine. He has been unable to work due to the pain and discomfort for a couple of months now. He is going back Monday, May 2nd for pre-operation scans and tests with surgery scheduled on the 4th and paying for it themselves. It will be a long and expensive surgery, that can last anywhere from 9-12 hours with a cardiac surgeon and urologist on-site in case of complications with the major arteries and kidney. They are expecting him to be in the ICU for around a week for recovery.

 

We are fundraising to pay for his operation because his Arizona insurance denied covering the procedure due to the fact that it was going to be done in California at Cedars-Sinai Medical center in Los Angeles. The family is left with no choice but to pay the cash price.

 

The roping community takes care of its own. Please donate whatever you can! Every little bit helps!