Help Harley Beat A Very Rare, Aggressive Cancer

Hi My Name is John and I am fundraising for a dear friend who needs our help in his time of need.

Dear Family, Friends, Muzos, Amigos, Amigas, and Supporters,

It is with a heavy heart but unwavering hope that we reach out to you today. Our dear friend, musician, and multi-talented performer/songwriter Harley Warren (Umphrey) has recently been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. It is known as ‘sarcomatoid carcinoma’. It developed in his bladder. The prognosis of this type of rare cancer ranges anywhere from 10 months to 5 years. If given the best treatments and those treatments being immediately available this prognosis can improve by months and possibly years. The operative phrase being 'immediately available', as his treatment has yet to even begin due to a lack of funds.

Due to the painful complications of a tumor found on an emergency CT scan, Harley has already been forced to undergo an emergency surgery procedure to have the large cancerous growth removed, in order to relieve him of some of the worst symptoms. The procedure was completed in Singapore, where he and his wife Genevieve Monteiro live.

This news has profoundly impacted his life and the lives of all who hold him dear. Unfortunately, added to the impact of this sudden, unforeseen crisis was the cost of the aforementioned surgery, which ended up being all of Harley’s life savings, as well as costing his closest friends and musician colleagues tens of thousands of dollars of their own money, only to cover only a portion of the total charges and overages for that surgery.

In the face of this, Harley and Gen’s perilous existential and financial challenge, we are launching this fundraising campaign to support Harley's journey toward recovery and to alleviate the financial burden that comes with such a diagnosis.

We have set an initial critical fundraising goal of USD50,000.00 (CAS70,000.00) which is a temporary goal only due to it's immediate need, in order to cover the first 4 weeks of his radical immunotherapy chemotherapy treatments and get him in the door to begin the process. This contribution, if achieved quickly enough, will ensure that Harley’s treatments can begin right away, as this timing is not merely suggested but absolutely critical as insisted upon by the oncologist and all of the specialists involved in his case.

His diagnosis and prognosis and essentially his life expectancy literally depends now on these early and radical treatments. Unfortunately, Harley and Gen have already had to delay the treatment starting date by 2 weeks now due to insufficient funding. Because of this sudden and extreme financial crisis, his life is being put at risk more and more each day he remains untreated, leaving an ever increasing chance that this cancer can metastasize, travel to other organs, negating any real chance of Harley's longer term survival. Unfortunately, sarcomatoid carcinoma is very aggressive and WILL metastasize, grow, and seek out other organs very quickly.

The total goal we will set once our initial goal is reached considers the remainder of the cost quotes given to us by his oncologist specialist, his urologist specialist, and his radiation therapy specialist. That goal will be set at USD110,000.00 (CAD155,000.00). This entire amount will be used to cover the ongoing treatments beyond his initial four weeks, which includes 8 weeks of radiation therapy that are set to take place after his initial immunotherapy and chemo, and the anticipated additional medical expenses (such as medication and treatment for side effects), all of which will support Harley throughout his treatment journey.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in Harley's fight against this rare and very aggressive cancer. If we can reach these two goals in short order, the campaign page will remain up for further donations until it reaches a cap of USD200,000.00, as any extra funds collected will be set aside for contingencies, as well as being applied to his eventual bladder removal/replacement surgery. As any non Singaporean citizen knows, there will inevitably be overages and 'cost-above-quotes' that will most certainly occur during at various points during the entire treatment plan.

We are incredibly grateful for any support you can offer. Together, we can make a profound difference in Harley's life and help him overcome this formidable challenge.

Thank you for your generosity, compassion, and solidarity.

With heartfelt gratitude,

John Michael Whynot, Harley Warren (Umphrey), Christo Alexander, Myra Vaughn, Genevieve Monteiro.

Contact us anytime through our GoFundMe email, and we will be posting regular updates on events, fundraising auctions, bake sales, group walks, picnics, e.t.c...

Due to the emergency nature of this campaign, we are only now constructing a website which will detail Harley's story in much greater detail and depth to those of you interested. Once it's finished and live online, the link will be updated and included here. Eventually Harley's music will be added there, along with live feeds and recorded performances from the various musical benefits now in the planning stages locally and abroad.