Save Our Hero Dusty

What would you do to save a loved one’s life? Everything.

What happens when everything you are doing on your own isn’t working? When is it time to swallow your pride, give up your family’s privacy, and finally ask for help?

My name is Szu Wakeman, and after five years, that time is now.

In 2014 my husband Dusty contracted viral Meningitis, a disease that attacks the central nervous system. It causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord that affect every part of the body. Early symptoms are usually flu-like headaches and fever so misdiagnosis and delays in treatment often occur.

Dusty’s two experiences in the ER were agonizing. He felt like he was dying. Both doctors on duty sent us home with two different scripts for mild pain medication and instructions to “get some rest”.

The time lost before Dusty was properly diagnosed led to a long hospital stay. He was on an IV cocktail of hydrating fluids, heavy duty antibiotics, and morphine for almost a week before being released with what we thought was a clean bill of health. But 11 to 19 percent of those who become infected with Meningitis and receive treatment never fully recover.

During the five years following Dusty’s Meningitis exposure, his health has deteriorated. He shows alarming signs of accelerated aging, chronic joint pain, hearing loss in his left ear, depression and anxiety. Dusty also suffered two mini strokes, or transient ischemic attacks (TIA). It was terrifying. A CAT Scan found no lesions on his brain. We have that to be thankful for, but the procedure gave us no answers.

Dusty’s condition mystifies conventional western doctors. They just want to prescribe more drugs to mask his symptoms, and the side effects make him feel worse. He is not responding to alternative treatments we have tried: acupuncture, reiki, acupressure, herbs, supplements, chakra balancing, cannabis derivatives, meditation, you name it. We also pray. A lot.




We are now prepared to try Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy. The specific protocol we have found has documented regenerative capabilities in humans whose health has been ravaged by suppressed immune systems, age, and disease. 

Where do the embryos come from to create stem cell lines? All the human embryonic stem cell lines currently in use come from four to five day-old embryos left over from in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.

These “pluripotent” stem cells, smaller than the dot over an “i”, divide into more stem cells or can become any type of cell in the body. This versatility allows embryonic stem cells to be used to regenerate or repair diseased tissue and organs.

(The stem cells to be used to help Dusty are NOT extracted from aborted fetuses.)

Stem Cell therapy is expensive. Our insurance does not cover it. Without financial help, it is out of our reach. But we know how many people care about Dusty. Together, we can do this.

We are aware of the current controversy over unethical "pop-up stem cell clinics". Dusty is not receiving his care from any of these opportunistic outfits. The board-certified integrative health doctor Dusty began seeing after he contracted Meningitis has been overseeing stem therapy as part of his practice for years. It was simply out of our financial reach. Until now. 

For over 40 years Dusty, aka "Big Daddy" has endeared himself to every member of the music community. Dusty is not only respected, he is beloved by each and everyone he’s played music with and worked alongside. He has generously shared his gifts as a musician, engineer and producer, mentor, founder of Mad Dog Studios, and contributor to countless charities playing for nothing more than the joy of helping fellow musicians in need. The bar Dusty sets for his personal integrity, honesty, and loyalty is so high and so huge it can be seen from space.




For the past 14 years Dusty has worked tirelessly as President of Mojave Audio. His efforts turned a mere $25,000 in seed money and autistic genius David Royer’s award winning microphone designs into an internationally acclaimed brand. Dusty has taken only four vacations, all in the last five years, at my insistence. Despite his pain, he continues his dedicated work of raising Mojave’s profile, and growing its bottom line. I don’t know how he does it.

Mojave’s A-list of fans include: Bruno Mars. Drake. Rick Rubin. The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Film score mixing superstar Alan Myerson (Ralph Breaks The Internet, Wonder Woman, Deadpool). Artist/Producer Greg Wells (The Greatest Showman Original Soundtrack, Gravity Original Soundtrack, Katy Perry). OG legends Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Brian Wilson, Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones...To print the entire list would mean exceeding GFM’s suggested word count


Dusty and I have two dependent children, one of whom has serious disabilities. They need their father. I need my partner. I am asking our friends, family, and everyone who has been touched by the music Dusty has helped to create, to help him now. Time is running out.

Both of Dusty's parents passed away before the age of 72. His beloved father, Don, was taken from us too soon following a horrific brain surgery for Cushing's Disease. Many of the symptoms of CD are frighteningly similar to what Dusty is experiencing. We cannot let what happened to his father happen to him. Here are ways you can help:

*Go to Dusty’s personal Facebook page by searching for Dusty Wakeman. There you will find our GFM campaign by a click of a button.

*Give whatever you can. No donation is too small. There is no minimum dollar amount to join for this growing circle of love. If you wish to remain anonymous, there is an option for that, including any good wishes you wish to share with us privately.

*Share, share, share Dusty’s GoFundMe link on Facebook: GoFundMe.com/gofundme.SaveOurHeroDusty.

*Email this page to your family and friends.


In Gratitude,

Szu, JD, Sunny, and Dusty