Hello Friends of Colby!

So, my name is Jess Evett and I'm writing this on behalf of my friend Colby Spath because, well, writing one's own GoFundMe shouldn't be on the list of to-dos when one is prepping for major surgery. So, short version, Colby is having surgery in Boise on Tuesday, January 23rd. Read on for the longer version where we fill you in all the details, and most importantly, how you can help!

Colby has experienced some ongoing health challenges for about four years, and went in for a doctor's visit this fall to get a few tests done. In the course of this, Colby's doctor found something concerning on a scan while looking for something else. Several visits and scans later, his care team confirmed that there is a mass the size of a golf ball on his right kidney. Said mass is serious and needs to come out before it causes any more problems. (Per Colby "I also have a smaller one on my left kidney, but that’s for another time"). Surgery will include the partial removal of the right kidney with robotic surgery, with a possible switch to traditional surgery depending on what they find on Tuesday. According to his docs, once it's out his prognosis is very positive. He is very glad they found this mass early.

Colby is pretty confident in the procedure, and if you've ever had an argument with Colby, you know that this mass doesn't stand a chance. However, his doctor says that he needs to take at least six weeks off from work to recuperate. This will be challenging financially, not to mention the hospital bills.

If you know Colby, you know that he will drop anything to help a friend or right a wrong. So as one of those friends, I'm reaching out to you all to contribute to his recovery fund. This will help ease the inevitable expenses while being unable to work for at least six weeks. We've set the fundraising goal factoring in the known stuff and some potential unknowns. If you are able to help, please do. If you can’t, Colby completely understands and asks that you just share this for him so more of his friends can see.

We will keep you all updated here on Colby's procedure, recovery, and any other ways to pitch in including helping him fight boredom during his recovery. Let's get him back on his feet soon, and huge thanks in advance.

And per Colby, "Air Hugs."