Josh Gatt starts GoFundMe after wife diagnosed with a rare cancer

UPDATE: Melissa was misdiagnosed and actually has B-cell lymphoma, an aggressive form of lymphoma.

Former Colorado Rapids player Josh Gatt and his wife, Melissa, have been married for just two years, and they just found out that she has been diagnosed with a rare cancer called thymic carcinoma. The cancer attacks the thymus, a small organ under the breastbone that is part of the lymph system, and can spread quickly. In a flurry of tweets yesterday, Josh started spreading the news and asking for help.

Josh was not picked up by the Rapids at the end of last season and was on trial with Chicago Fire, but as of now he is unemployed, so he started a GoFundMe page to raise money for Melissa’s cancer treatments. From the site:

“My wife and I just received news we could and would never have prepared for. My young 25 year old wife of two years has been diagnosed with a rare cancer, Thymic Carcinoma. This could not come at a worse time, I am currently unemployed trying to get myself work as a professional soccer player as I have been for the past 8 years. As of now we only know that the treatment will be to remove the cancerous tumor that is on her Thymus and address the cancer that has already spread. I just want the chance to grow old with the love of my life, have kids, watch our kids grow older and have kids. I want that for us, and we could use any help anyone is willing to offer. If you have anything to give please, I beg you, help save my wife. They believe it is aggressive and is spreading quickly. If anyone knows of a great doctor or specialist for this treatment please let us know anything will help.”

It’s heartbreaking. Any form of cancer at any time is devastating, but Melissa is only 25 years old. And while they’ve reached their goal of $20,000, we all know that medical care usually goes above and beyond what you might expect. You can donate here.

If you aren’t able to donate money, I’m sure they would at least appreciate us all keeping them in their thoughts.

Keep Fighting, Josh and Melissa - we’re here for you!