PLEASE HELP US FIGHT CANCER! CHESSY AND LEO BEAR

Dear Fur Loving Community.

I come to you with the heaviest of hearts. My name is Priya Patel. I have been an avid animal lover since a child. While I love all animals, cats hold a very special place in my heart. Coming from England for a completely different reason, I came to learn the devastation for homeless animals here in the US. To date, in Atlanta, GA, I have rescued 2100 cats off the harsh, cruel Atlanta Streets. No rescue, shelter, person... was coming for any of these cats. Many FIV positive, Stomatitis, Leukemia, FIP, Kidney end stage... all a horrific, torturous, slow death if left on the streets. After several years of trying to get the big rescues here to help, to only have doors shut in your face, 2100 cats have come through my home with only 1 foster a year if I am lucky. I also learnt, given time, compassion, and on their times, every single rip your face off "feral," became a lap at. I do not TNR meaning get a cat vetted and release because I know and have seen what awaits them...All are fully vetted, and with me until the best possible, safe home comes along. I have been a client at Medlock Bridge Animal Hospital for many years, and they can confirm my rescue efforts.

4 weeks ago, I came home from my own medical appointment and noticed senior rescue (13 y in May), Chessy Bear was struggling to sit down. On approach and my petting him, he screamed bloody murder. Chessy Bear will lick your face or allow you to pet him 24 if he had his way. So, I knew something was wrong and put it down to he must have jumped off something and hurt his hind leg. He was taken the next day to Medlock, and determined he had a large mass. Chessy Bear had an over hour long surgery, and sent home to recover. I noticed 2 days later he was just too lethargic so we went back in. I asked for a chest xray/ultrasound. His biopsy came back as metastatic hemangiosarcoma. While, rare in cats, this blood vessel cancer is very aggressive, has spread to his lungs and spleen. I took him in emergency to Blue Pearl, and he started his first chemo treatment last week. His chemo sessions are every 3 week, each session followed by a recheck of blood/xrays/ultrasound a week post chemotherapy. Today, I took rescue Senior Leo Bear to Medlock. He was there last week, and given an almost 3lb weight loss in a year, which can be explained by his hyperthyroidism, I just could not it go given what has happened to Chester. Leo Bear had an ultrasound today at Medlock and there is a big mass on his intestines. Medlock has quoted surgery at 3800-4000$ to remove the mass/send out biopsy... However, the appointment is April 18. Leo Bear does not have time, so I am headed to Blue Pearl Emergency tonight to establish him as a patient and see the oncologist asap. Every cat is for me like a human child. These are my sons.

Last year, I became critically ill, could not walk for almost 6 months, and these two precious babies, NEVER EVER LEFT MY SIDE. They knew how sick I was and now I have to fight for their lives. I understand times are so hard for far too many. So, if you cannot personally donate, I really understand, I am hoping if you can share the fundraiser across your social media platforms. I have posted the invoices I have so far. The pic is from last year when they literally became my nurses. Thank your consideration in donating and/or sharing. ❤️