Dear Friends, Family, Colleagues, and Supporters,

Our beloved Johnny Myers — teacher, coach, and mentor for the East Stroudsburg Area School District for over 30 years — recently received devastating news: his son, Gunnar, has been diagnosed with peri‑pancreatic leiomyoma.

Peri‑pancreatic leiomyoma is a very rare condition. It involves benign tumors that can form on and around the pancreas. If left untreated, there is a risk that these benign tumors could become malignant. The recommended treatment is a complex surgery that takes five to seven hours. After surgery, Gunnar is expected to remain in the hospital for seven to fourteen days while he relearns how to slowly return to eating and drinking. A full recovery could take up to a year. Once discharged, he will need constant care until the healing process progresses.

Gunnar Myers, a 21‑year‑old student‑athlete at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, graduated from Wallenpaupack Area School District and grew up in Hawley, PA, where he began his wrestling career. He has wrestled since he was six years old and quickly fell in love with the sport. In high school, he was a three‑time state placer. Today, he wrestles for Northwestern University, living his dream as a Division I athlete.

As the Myers family begins this difficult journey of treatment away from each other, their focus should be on healing, spending time with loved ones, and staying strong — not worrying about doctor visits, mounting medical bills, treatment costs, lost income, and the financial burden of repeated travel and housing between Illinois and Pennsylvania.

Johnny and his loved ones are among the most caring and selfless families we know. He has always been there for others in their time of need, and now he needs our help.

We are raising funds to help cover:

Medical expenses and treatment costs

Prescription medications

Travel and housing to and from Illinois/Pennsylvania

Daily living expenses while unable to work for the district this summer

Any donation, no matter the amount, will make a meaningful difference. If you are unable to contribute financially, please consider sharing this fundraiser with your friends, family, and social networks.

Thank you for your generosity, prayers, and support during this challenging time. Together, we can help the Myers family focus on what matters most — beating this diagnosis and returning to the love of their family.