Veteran & Service Dog Team Fighting for Recovery

Hello, my name is Ed. I am a former Infantryman in the United States Marine Corps for 8 years. I am also a former firefighter who has served in the U.S. Forest Service on a Hot Shot crew and worked on the industrial fire/rescue side for 24 years, while instructing for 18 of those years.

In November of 2024, I was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called an Oligodendroglioma. Since that time, I have had two Craniotomies to remove approximately 90 percent of the tumor. The remaining tumor had crossed the midline of my brain and could not be removed. I have since undergone 30 sessions of radiation and I am now undergoing 12 months of chemotherapy.

It's hard to believe I ran a Spartan Trifecta, seven 5ks, three 10ks, one 8k, and a marathon in 2024. It just shows our plans aren't our plans. God was letting me get stronger to fight this battle. I have not been alone as he has been with me every step of the way.

I have had to stop working as the tumor damaged portions of my optic nerve and as a result I have left homonymous hemianopia, which is a vision deficit on the left side of both eyes. Thankfully my central vision was spared.

I am raising funds to cover the cost of my remaining medical bills to include dental work. Focused Photon Radiation and Chemotherapy have caused my teeth to weaken and are chipping or breaking.

These funds will also allow me to cover transportation costs and fees so my 1.5-year-old Labrador/Coonhound (Ca$h) who I rescued in May 2024, can become my service dog. He can help me avoid and realize obstacles on my left side. Ca$h is now my emotional anchor and service dog-in-training. Together, we’re rebuilding mobility, independence, and purpose. We train daily on obedience, socialization, public access—and he’s already helping me navigate environments that once felt overwhelming. My faith in God and the prayers I have received from our church congregation, family and friends around the world have been so uplifting, and prayers are being answered.