Benefit for Ezra!!!

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

Thank you everyone who has donated so far, Ezra has begun his immunotherapy treatment but now has developed complications, went to the ER, and is facing perhaps a much more serious immediate challenge. Here is the latest update from his daughter:

Friends and family, this is Emerson Ailidh, one of Ezra’s many daughters. From the ER, he was sent to the ICU for respiratory care. It is suspected that a known, but *extremely* rare, reaction to his immunotherapy has caused an autoimmune problem called Myasthenia Gravis. This means his immune system is targeting his muscles and most problematically the muscles in control of his breathing. He has been voluntarily intubated to let these muscles rest, PURELY as a preventative measure to let those muscles rest. All expectations are good.He is fully conscious and cognizant, but does not have the energy to respond to text messages or Facebook comments. All of your well wishes and prayers are being communicated, and he is so grateful. We ask that you continue to pray for the mercy and grace of God to flood his mind, body, and spirit. For Him nothing is impossible. His peace surpasses all understanding. Luke 1:37. (Message requested and approved by Ezra!!!!!!)

A friend of the Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton music scenes since 1987 (most notably Trio of One and Tabula Rasa) and founder of the Bible & Beer Consortium, Ezra Boggs has always attempted to address issues that assist to help the unheard.

And now, Ezra needs our help.

Friends,

I have been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.

A biopsy recently revealed melanoma in a mole between my shoulder blades, and a PET Scan further uncovered the additional presence of melanoma under my shoulder blade and in my lymph nodes.

I had surgery three weeks ago and the melanoma was removed; the surgeon’s office said the melanoma was one of the largest they’ve seen and incredibly deep.

I’m still sore and recovering.

My longterm treatment includes immunotherapy, and I will be reevaluated every three months.

Throughout all of this, I am reminded of just how dearly loved I am by so many close friends.

Friends from out of state volunteered to drive down to ensure I had transportation to and from surgery!

In all of this, I have been confronted with the fact that I am not a self-sufficient island and there are things that even I need help with - this is certainly one of those things.

My trust in the Lord increases daily.

I'm endlessly appreciative of the staff and medical procedures they’ve committed to help me fight this.

I'm shocked and sincerely grateful for the degree people care about me, and for the support I've received.

By God’s grace, and all He is providing, I will fight this with everything I can!

A very close friend has launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with medical expenses.

Thank you all for the encouragement and inspiration your lives provide!

Your friend,

Ezra

“It’s always difficult to fathom bad things happening to good people. Well, when it comes to good people, they don’t come better than Ezra. In the late 80s/early 90s he was a staple , a mainstay and a workhorse in the DFW music scene. His bands (most notably) Trio Of One and Tabula Rasa didn’t sound like anyone else. No other frontman sounded like him. They seemed to take any and every show just to get the music out there. I’ve seen him play festivals, high schools, clubs and restaurants. I’ve known Ezra for more than thirty years and I’ve never heard someone say an unkind word about him. That says a lot.”

Josh Venable

“A sense of honor, a respect for the dignity of all people, compassion, sincerity, integrity. These are the qualities I look for in the people I choose as friends. For many years I’ve been associated with Ezra Boggs’ ministry and outreach, even as he and I have disagreed on some of the most important subjects we humans consider. I disagree with Ezra about nearly everything: Religion? Yep. Politics? Yep. Ezra even likes IPA’s. And yet despite these disagreements he has every quality I look for in my friends, and I’m proud to consider Ezra my friend. As an atheist I have no prayers I can offer, but I can offer my sincerest best wishes, my friendship, my companionship, and also perhaps as a practical matter my request to you now: please join me in helping to support Ezra and his family during this time. And I thank you for that support.” Owen Younger.

“I first met Ezra through the Bible and Beer Consortium, an apologetics group he founded that brings together Christians, atheists, theologians, philosophers, and anyone serious about thinking deeply, and whenever the opportunity presents itself, over a cold pint. It is a place where people from very different points of view challenge each other, learn from one another, and often become real friends, even when that seems unlikely at first. Beyond the online group, Ezra organizes live events at local pubs where we grab a good beer, listen to real debates, raise our glasses together, and wrestle with big questions face-to-face. It’s a list of ingredients one may not expect to go well together, but somehow they create something that just works….a community where serious conversation, often sharp disagreements, and genuine camaraderie all grow side by side. The group continues to help people grow intellectually, philosophically, and spiritually, all through honest conversation and a shared commitment to truth. All the things Ezra represents. Let’s help him out.”

Aaron Summerhill