Reaching out to help Greg Shaffer

We are fundraising for Greg Shaffer to help offset the costs for himself and his two boys as he starts his medical journey battling Acoustic Neuroma.

What is heck is an Acoustic Neuroma?

It’s a rare non-cancerous tumour that grows in your cranium that affects hearing, balance and facial movement among other symptoms. It can grow very slowly for years without notice. The major issue for Greg is that his tumour is growing dangerously close to his brain stem and is potentially life threatening.

Supporting Greg

All funds raised through GoFundMe will go toward uncovered expenses that Greg is incurring while out of country undergoing medical testing and treatment and not working (see more below). Greg is not one to ask for help so here we are, his friends and family reaching out for him. He has made it immensely clear that if he does not use all of these funds he would like to pay it forward to someone else in need. He also hopes to eventually one day thank those who so generously donated, no matter the amount. He’s grateful.

More about Greg

Born in 1966, Greg was raised in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. He entered the US Air Force right after high school and retired after 20 years of service. Greg came to the Yukon in 2011 for a chance at a second family. He worked through the Yukon nominee program to become a permanent resident. He’s a single parent raising two fantastic boys with shared custody. He is a very proud father and Yukoner.

More about Acoustic Neuroma

Acoustic Neuroma is a rare non-cancerous tumour - it grows slowly from an overproduction of Schwann cells. The growing tumour will press on nerves affecting hearing and balance.

Mark Ruffalo, who stars as Bruce Banner and the Hulk was diagnosed with Acoustic Neuroma in 2000. He had a dream that he had a brain tumour, went to a doctor that morning, got an MRI the following day for a diagnosis and started medical treatment immediately. Not everyone has the Hollywood star experience.

For a period of time Greg has been working with his general practitioner and an ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist). The Yukon doesn’t have a full time ENT. A referral was made for an MRI in Whitehorse. However, there is an extensive wait list in the Yukon for the test. In the time between appointments with the ENT, Greg dramatically lost his hearing.

While visiting his dying father in Florida (who passed in late December) he had the opportunity to pay out of pocked for an MRI test. Someone or something was watching out for Greg when he decided to get this test now instead of waiting for it in the Yukon. Because of this appointment he found out the extent and severity of his diagnosis. Greg decided to stay in the US for his initial treatments as he has family around to support him and has access to some of the best doctors and surgeons in this field. His military benefits will potentially cover costs of medical treatments. Greg is out of pocket for mortgage payments and expenses while he’s out of country getting additional testing and treatment and unable to work. At this time it is undetermined how long Greg will be away for medical reasons. He will follow the guidelines from his doctors and surgeons as things progress. He’s looking forward to getting back home to Whitehorse to be with his boys and to get back to work and normal life in general