Urgent: Deron Needs Your Help for Transplant

UPDATE - May 13, 2025

Hope on the Horizon: An Important Update on Deron’s Journey

And now, the journey has truly begun—Deron is currently in the air, being transported by air ambulance to Chicago for further evaluation and, potentially, placement on the transplant list. We are filled with hope and deep gratitude.

While this coverage lifts a significant financial burden, the journey ahead remains long and costly. From travel and temporary relocation to months of post-operative care and recovery, the family still faces tremendous expenses.

Your continued support is not only appreciated—it’s vital.

You can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-deron-needs-your-help-for-transplant

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who has shared, supported, and stood by Deron and his family. Your voices helped make this possible. To Cigna: Thank you for doing the right thing. Your decision gives Deron not only a chance at surgery—but a chance at life.

We move forward with renewed strength and unity.

Let’s keep the momentum going—because when hope and voice come together, they move mountains. As Deron said: “I am not done.”

UPDATE

As of this morning, May 12 2025, the family received a call from Cigna where they shared that Deron's transport and transplant costs will be covered based on the medical decision of the IRO (Independent Review Organization).

Deron will be on his way to Chicago as early as tomorrow for further evaluation and, potentially, placement on the list for the transplant.

We are deeply grateful to all of you who have contributed and shared Deron's story. Your support has been incredible. We are now focusing on the next step: Deron's journey to Chicago for his life-saving surgery and the many months of recovery that will follow. While insurance saves a great deal of money, your ongoing support remains vital for the family to get through this. We will continue to keep you updated as we navigate this new chapter. Thanks to this major step forward, we are filled with hope.

Help Deron Wells Get the Lifesaving Lung Transplant He’s Been Approved For

Our beloved friend, father, and husband Deron Wells is in the fight of his life — and time is running out.

Deron has advanced lung cancer and has been medically approved by doctors at both UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles and Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago for a double lung transplant. This procedure is his only path to survival — and the medical teams are ready to act.

But despite these clear medical approvals, Cigna, his health insurance provider, is refusing to authorize the transplant and the emergency medical transport needed to get him to Chicago. Without immediate intervention, Deron may not survive.

We are raising $1.5 million to cover:

• Emergency air medical transport to Northwestern

• The double lung transplant procedure

• Post-surgery recovery and care

• Temporary relocation expenses to support his family during the process

Deron is one of the most loyal, kind-hearted people you’ll ever meet. He has given everything to his friends, his family, and his community — and now, we are coming together to fight for his life.

Every donation, no matter the amount, brings us one step closer to giving Deron the chance he deserves. Please give what you can, and share this page widely.

Let’s save our friend. Let’s show Cigna and the world that this life matters.

#SaveDeron