In July 2024, Vance faced severe abdominal pain leading to emergency visits and, ultimately, life-saving surgery at Banner University Hospital in Phoenix. The surgery, which involved a lengthy procedure and resulted in the removal of part of his intestines and the introduction of an ileostomy bag, was crucial to address a perforated colon and septic material.

Complicating matters, Vance has also been diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, a very aggressive form of cancer. After receiving the diagnosis and Vance coming home from the hospital he has been admitted to the hospital two times for various medical complications. He is currently still in the hospital as his medical team works to keep him stable post-surgery & cancer diagnosis. A few of these including dozens of blood clots throughout his body, low magnesium and high potassium.

Your support, prayers, and love have been a beacon of hope for the Merrill family over the years, and they are deeply appreciated now more than ever.

For further updates, you can reference this page . If you would like to make a donation via Venmo, please send it to @kessa-merrill. Thank you for your continued kindness and generosity!