VA Deputy in need of Emergency Heart Surgery

29 year old Rockingham County Virginia Sheriff's Deputy M.Lazzaro was recently hospitalized and is currently awaiting the opportunity for a special medical flight to Texas for emergency open heart surgery.

He was diagnosed in March 2019, with Sarcoma of the heart, a 10 cm mass in the right atrium. 2 open heart surgeries later (march 2019, February 2020), 6 months of chemo, ¼ bovine pericardium, and he was cancer free for 3 years. He was then monitored with routine CT scans and MRI's.

 

Deputy Lazzaro has had a lingering dry cough since November 2022. An MRI was scheduled for Feb 23, 2023, however he was unable to complete the MRI, so a CT scan was performed instead. The CT scan returned with a 4 cm mass in his right lung.

Deputy Lazzaro had a Dr visit this past Friday, February 24, 2023, to discuss the CT results. During a planned Bronchoscopy on Monday, a mass was discovered on his heart. 

Deputy Lazzaro was admitted to RMH Sentara in Harrisonburg, Va. Further tests have confirmed a 9x9x10 cm mass growing on the left atrium. It is likely a Sarcoma, but currently Dr's are unable to confirm this due to his condition.

Deputy Lazzaro is currently being kept at RMH Sentara to monitor vitals and keep him stable.

He is waiting for placement at Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas to receive emergency surgery and or treatment. The Dr at Houston Methodist Memorial is 1 of only 2 surgeons in the US who can perform the emergency surgery he needs.

Please consider donating to help this young family with accruing medical expenses, as well as the cost for the special medical flight to Texas and other unforseen expenses they will be facing. Deputy Lazzaro and his partner, Loren Collins, are expecting an addition to the family at the end of this month! Please rally around this warrior's family with your prayers, support and by sharing this Go Fund Me page!

Thank you in advance, any amount helps!