Willie is the best cat I’ve ever met in my life. My partner and I talk often about how much he changed our lives. There’s not a single person close to us that he hasn’t connected with or touched deeply. Last year, we had to pay for a pretty large surgery to remove a fibrous mass on his side, it went well and he recovered well. He is only 6 years old, so pretty young and spry. We suspected a few weeks ago that he might have a stuck hairball, so we took him to the doctor. Unfortunately what they found was worse. Willie has a diaphragmatic hernia that’s causing his stomach and intestines to push into his heart. It’s severe enough that he’s completely stopped eating. The doctor said emergency surgery is required. They said it is congenital meaning he likely was born with the hernia, it just wasn’t on our radar until now. Surgery to correct his hernia is between 2500-3500 not including medication costs after surgery. Insurance will not cover this procedure as it is “preexisting”. He could maybe live for a couple more weeks without the surgery, depending on if he can keep food down. I’m just hoping and praying that you all can find it in your hearts to help give my boy a fighting chance. He deserves to be here, he brings so much happiness to so many people. He is my teacher and he is my friend. Please help me save him.