Help Seth Sprouse with medical bills and healing.

Seth and Ara are two of my oldest friends in the world. Ara and I were in high school when she and Seth met, and I have had the privilege of watching Ara and Seth's love story stand the test of time. They have been together for twenty-three years and are just as much in love today as they were then- more so now that their family has grown to include their eleven-year-old son, Cyrus. 

Seth and Ara are among the most generous two people I can name. They are kind. They are incredibly talented, funny, and proud. They take care of each other and they work hard to provide for one another and their son-so hard, in fact, that when Seth was diagnosed with stage four colon/rectal cancer in 2017, he kept working.

Through chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Seth has continued to work in the face of medical debt that threatens his livelihood. The last four years have been an incredible ordeal for Seth and his family, but one of the things that is so remarkable about Seth- is that in all this time watching him with Cyrus, seeing the way that he looks at Ara, you would never have guessed that he was in poor health. You would never have imagined that he was in pain. He has this joy, this light that has not dimmed, this unbelievable spirit that has kept him fighting, and fighting he will continue.

Last Tuesday, Seth received devastating news. The cancer has spread. He has been hospitalized for a week in Nashville- with Ara never leaving his side. Next week, he will be starting a new journey at Vanderbilt with a new team of doctors. Seth and his family are committed to continuing the fight and seeking treatment from the specialists who are most equipped to help him. 

I am asking for help on behalf of my dear friend because his time is precious. He should be spending every minute he can at home with his son and his wife. He needs time to rest between treatments. Time to heal. 

If Seth had received this news at any time, it would have been devastating, but to wage this battle in the middle of a global pandemic, is, as you can imagine, a struggle beyond anyone's capacity to face alone. Seth's community, his friends, neighbors, and loved ones cannot physically be there for him, cannot rally around him. Cyrus was not able to go back to school this year, because of the risk it posed to Seth's weakened immune system.

While we are unable to show our love to Seth in person, we can still do a great deal to show our support. Any amount you’re able to give enables Seth to spend more time with his wife and son. Though I have known Cyrus’s parents a long time, I have known Cyrus his entire life. Not only do our sons share the same birthday, but since Cyrus came into this world- he has been a part of my family. When I held Cyrus for the first time, I was overcome with emotion. I could see how happy he was already making Ara and Seth, and how much happiness he would continue to bring. Just like I watched Seth and Ara's love story unfold, I was honored to be Cyrus's teacher at Plum Tree Montessori, to get to watch him grow up firsthand. As much as this fund will help Seth and Ara, by contributing, you are giving Cyrus the only thing he needs right now- more time with his dad. Cyrus is Seth done over. They have the same sense of humor, the same mind for technology.  Cyrus is a fighter too. Please consider giving any amount so Cyrus, Ara, and Seth do not have to fight alone.

 Blessings and Peace be with you.

Sincerely,
Lauren Bridges