Hi, my name is Dane Thornton. I'm an amateur bodybuilder trying to climb the ranks and I currently work in manual labor. On August 8th of this year, I tore my distal bicep tendon while lifting furniture at a temporary job. This injury has greatly changed my life—it’s taken away my ability to pursue bodybuilding, something I’ve been deeply passionate about, and it’s also affected my ability to work, since most of my jobs involve manual labor. Bodybuilding has always been more than a hobby to me—it’s a part of who I am. Losing that, along with much of my independence in daily life, has been incredibly difficult. On top of that, being unable to work full-time has left me struggling financially.

My doctors have told me surgery is the only real option if I want to heal properly and avoid permanent loss of strength and function in my arm. The problem is, I don’t have health insurance, and the cost of surgery and recovery is far more than I can manage on my own.

That’s why I’m reaching out through this GoFundMe. Asking for help is not easy for me, but I know I can’t do this alone. Any support—whether it’s a donation, sharing this page, or even just words of encouragement—means more than I can put into words.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for being here for me in this tough time.