Help Us Give Blu More Time: Fighting Hemangiosarcoma

Story

Help Us Give Blu More Time: Fighting Hemangiosarcoma In January 2020, the world was in the midst of change—but for us, something beautiful began. That’s when we met Blu. He had been found chained to a bench and abandoned outside, left behind with no explanation. We found him at the Jacksonville Humane Society, and from the moment our eyes met, we knew—it was love at first sight. Blu didn’t just become our dog. He became our family’s heartbeat. From day one, Blu showed us what loyalty and love really look like. He’s a gentle giant with a protector’s soul. Whether it's a car ride (his favorite), a walk around the block, or just guarding us during yard work, Blu is always watching over us. He’s kept his sharp eyes on every snake that slithered near the grass, ensuring his family was safe—he’s even taken a few down. That’s just the kind of pup he is: selfless, strong, and full of love. But now, Blu is asking for us to be his protectors. Last month, we noticed Blu wasn’t himself. He wasn’t eating like normal. He wasn’t jumping with excitement at the words “car ride” or “walk.” We knew something was wrong. We rushed him to the emergency vet, where they ran bloodwork, X-rays, and an ultrasound. What they found broke our hearts: free fluid in his abdomen caused by internal bleeding. A 3-inch mass was discovered on his spleen. He needed emergency surgery to remove his spleen—a splenectomy—to stop the bleeding and save his life. After surgery, the mass was sent to pathology. On Friday, May 16th, we received the news no pet parent ever wants to hear. The mass was malignant. Blu was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma—a highly aggressive cancer that originates in the blood vessels and is known for its sudden and often silent onset. It typically affects the spleen or heart, and by the time it’s detected, it’s often already advanced. The prognosis was devastating: with chemotherapy, the average life expectancy is just 2–3 months. With immunotherapy, there’s a chance to extend that to 5 months to a year. We’ve chosen to pursue the Torigen immunotherapy vaccine, which uses Blu’s own cancer cells to help his immune system recognize and fight the disease. We want to give Blu the absolute best shot we can—to fight for every extra moment, every extra car ride, every extra cuddle on the couch. Because time is the one thing we can’t buy. But we can try to borrow it—with your help. Between emergency vet visits, diagnostics, surgery, and treatment, we’ve been quoted near $5,000. We are humbly asking for any support you can provide. Every single dollar brings us closer to more time with Blu. Every share, every prayer, every kind word helps us stay strong for him. If you're a person of faith, we ask that you please keep Blu in your thoughts and prayers. He’s been our guardian from the beginning—and now, we are honored to stand by his side in this fight. And now, in his own special way, Blu is asking us for one more thing: to believe in him. Our cover photo is a Christmas memory of Blu in his pajamas, sitting beside a pillow with one word stitched into it—Believe. A word that captures the spirit of hope, of miracles, and of fighting for what we love. Now it's our turn. Blu wants us to BELIEVE in him. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting Blu’s journey. With love and gratitude, Alexis Chang & Family