Help Save Champ! – Urgent Surgery Needed

Help Save Champ! – Urgent Surgery Needed

Hi, my name is Annalise, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my dear friend, Tori, and her sweet dog, Champ. Over the years of knowing Tori, I’ve been blessed to know Champola, and Champ isn’t just a pet, he’s family. He’s been a constant source of love, companionship, protection, and emotional support for Tori, especially during her doctorate program on her way to be a kick-ass psychologist. He’s become just as special to me. I pet sit for him every chance I get, and built my own close bond with this goofy, loving rescue pup. Tori dedicates every ounce of energy into his happiness. With his health and wellbeing, I have watched her leave no stone unturned. Now, he’s facing a potentially life-threatening diagnosis, and we’re doing everything we can to help him maintain a quality life (you should see her endless spreadsheets of his medical charts). I know Tori and Champ have many people who care about them, and I am reaching out to gather together and support Champ in this critical time.

Urgent Need for Surgery!

Champ was recently diagnosed with a rapidly growing mass, likely hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer that requires immediate surgery to prevent it from spreading to his liver. If that happens, surgery will no longer be an option, and chemotherapy would be his only chance. Due to the complexity of the mass’s location, he has been referred to a board-certified surgeon, and his surgery is scheduled for March 6th with three weeks recovery.

Without this procedure, his time with us will be heartbreakingly short.

Despite doing everything right, Champ’s pet insurance denied coverage, falsely claiming the condition was preexisting. Tori has already maxed out her CareCredit card on diagnostic testing and specialist consultations, and as a full-time graduate student living off student loans, she’s in a tough financial position. She’s applied for every grant and financial assistance program possible (again, so many spreadsheets), but the surgery cost is still more than she can afford alone. I have seen how hard she has worked to give Champ a good life and exhaust all her options, and now she needs help.

For those of you who don’t know his story, Champ is a rescue who was returned to the shelter multiple times before he found his forever home with Tori. Just as she’s kept her promise of loyalty, so has he. He has been by her side through the hardest moments of her doctorate program providing unwavering comfort, loyalty, and love. And I can say from experience, he is truly one of the most special dogs I’ve ever met. He’s full of personality! We all swear he speaks English, the way he participates in full on conversations always cracks us up. Nothing makes him happier than car rides, sniff walks, and sunbathing. He loves everything soft and comfortable, there are never enough pillows for him, and he can't go to sleep until he's been properly bundled in blankets and tucked in. He's always ready to give the bestest cuddles, which can make everything better. (Which is no wonder, he takes after his therapist mom.)

For those of you who don't know Tori, she is currently in her 3rd year of her 5 year doctorate program to become a clinical psychologist. Tori is passionate about helping others through her career and is especially gifted at helping people through trauma. I have witnessed her careful and persistent dedication to her education and clients. She quickly became a close friend to me, and has always been my "safe" person through difficult times. Just like Champ, she is tenaciously compassionate and can spark hope when everything is dark. These qualities have kept both her and Champ afloat through significant tumultuous changes over the past few years.

I know firsthand how much Champ means to Tori and how much he means to me and so many. He deserves this chance. Any donation, no matter how small, will make a difference in saving his life. If you can’t donate, please share this fundraiser, spreading the word can be just as powerful.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping in any way you can. Champ is so loved, and we are beyond grateful for your support. ❤️

With gratitude,

Annalise, on behalf of Tori & Champola (aka: Champ, Champ-alot, Champers, Pup-ola, Champerson, Champarito, etc.)