Give Damien a Fighting Chance Against Cancer

Hello friends, family, and kind strangers,

We’re reaching out for support as our beloved 12-year-old Husky, Damien, has been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his chest (a mediastinal mass confirmed as epithelial neoplasia). He also has a small nodule in his lung, which could be an early sign of metastasis (spread of the cancer). After months of diagnostics, we’re now preparing for a critical, minimally invasive surgery to remove the tumor, and we urgently need your help to make it happen.

Medical Background:

Damien was first diagnosed in January 2025 after we noticed changes in his breathing and energy. A CT scan revealed a 1.3 cm mass in his mediastinum (the central part of the chest). A second CT in April showed that the mass had shifted position and grown slightly, now measuring approximately 2.8 cm.

* A fine needle aspirate (FNA) confirmed the mass is compatible with epithelial neoplasia—a type of cancer that may originate from abnormal or ectopic endocrine tissue.

* There is also a suspicious 3 mm nodule in his right lung, which could be early metastasis or benign, but cannot yet be confirmed, so a biopsy is also planned during surgery.

* The tumor is located near vital structures in his chest, but our veterinary surgical team believes it can be removed through a minimally invasive procedure—greatly reducing risk and recovery time.

The cost of the surgery is approximately $13,514.47 to $16,861.62 (depending on care needed during/after surgery). We have pet insurance for Damien but it unfortunately only covers up to a certain amount, and all of his expenses over the last year have made it extremely hard for us to catch up. Since July of last year, we have paid out-of-pocket over $10,00.00 for his parathyroidectomy procedure(throat procedure to remove two glands due to excessive calcium levels), X-rays, multiple CT scans, blood work, etc.

What the Funds Will Cover:

Our $12,000.00 goal will go entirely to Damien’s medical care, including:

* Surgical tumor removal

* Pre- and post-operative imaging (CT scans)

* Anesthesia, monitoring, and overnight hospital stay

* Pathology and lab fees

* Medications, post-op recovery, and follow-up care

We’ve already paid out-of-pocket for:

* Initial and follow-up CT scans

* Cytology and bloodwork

* Specialty consultations with internal medicine, surgery, and oncology teams

Damien is my best friend in the whole world. The dog I got at 23 who’s been with me through SO many life changes, but always remained the one constant - always by my side. He still enjoys his food, demands his daily walks, and greets us with his Husky howl. This surgery is our best chance to give Damien more good days. We’re doing everything we can, but we can’t do it alone.

Thank you for reading, caring, and being a part of Damien’s journey.

With gratitude,
Rachael, Gio, Cloud, & Damien