We are raising funds to help our friend, Bruce Bates, during his cancer battle.  The money will assist with medical bills and devices not covered by insurance and also with everyday living expenses while Bruce is unable to work (6 mos. to 1 yr.).  Bruce is married to Amy and they have 4 great children at home.  They are all extremely grateful for your help while their rock, Bruce, is recovering.
  
Amy Bates writes:
Everyone experiences a moment in time where something so devastating occurs, it’s almost like the event itself makes time stand still. I never thought that moment in MY life would happen so soon.
 
On Wednesday, 3/25/2020, my husband, Bruce, and I received a call from his primary care physician expecting to hear he had a hernia and what were the next steps we needed to take.  Our fears mounted as we were told that the painful lump in Bruce’s groin area was actually a 9 cm cancerous tumor on his right pelvis, which would require removal of the entire right pelvis and possibly the replacement of his right hip joint. 

Bruce was diagnosed with myxoid chondrosarcoma in his right pelvis.  This is a malignant tumor composed of cartilage-producing cells. It is the second most common primary malignancy of bone, and one of the most difficult bone tumors to treat because it does not respond to chemo or radiation.  This type of bone cancer can spread to other parts of the body, like the lungs or lymph nodes. 

On Thursday 4/30,  Bruce underwent a very extensive 20-hour surgery having his right pelvis removed and reconstructed, as well as a total hip replacement.  The tumor alone took 7.5 hours to remove.  Thank God Bruce made it through and is now recovering at home.