Lamb Of God vocalist Randall Blythe is asking fans of the band to help out a fellow metalhead named Louis Fortanelli. Fortanelli is currently suffering from stage 4 bone cancer and recently hung with Blythe at Sick New World, who recounted his experience in a lengthy (and very moving) Instagram post.
Long story short, Fortanelli is eligible for a new clinical trial but overall is having a difficult time healthwise and financially. Blythe urged Lamb Of God fans (and metal fans in general) to donate to Fortanelli‘s GoFundMe to help with medical, bills, which you can do right here.
“PLEASE READ. This is my buddy, Louis Fortanelli. I met him recently in Vegas when Lamb Of God played Sick New World through [the Living The Dream foundation], a fantastic organization that brings people with life threatening illnesses to shows to meet their favorite musicians for free. I got to the gig early & we spent a couple of hours hanging out by our dressing room- naturally, we discussed his illness, but we also just talked about our families, tattoos, music, & Japanese animation— things we both love.
“Louis has Stage Four Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)- it has spread throughout his body. 2 weeks before he was due to come see us, he had one of his legs amputated- the cancer basically ate his leg, & he was in great pain. Louis did not let this stop him from coming to the show, because Louis doesn’t know how many shows he has left— his cancer is terminal. The doctors gave him a year to live, but after having his leg amputated he has become eligible for a new clinical trial- the doctor is optimistic about him surviving for well over a year now.
“When someone with Stage Four cancer with your band’s artwork tattooed on them tells you about being in immense pain & putting on headphones & cranking up your music to help them ride out that pain because NOTHING is really working, it is an intense, humbling experience. It makes me feel proud to be a musician.
“But feelings don’t pay medical bills. Louis worked his whole life (he was an RV tech) until cancer forced him to quit. Now his wife Brook can’t work either, as she has to take care of him AND their 4 kids. I asked how she was paying the bills & she said “They will get paid eventually- I’ll be paying them my whole life, I guess.”
“These are good people who are in a bad spot. There is a GoFundMe link IN MY BIO to help out with their bills, so if you’re a Lamb Of God fan, kick down a few bucks (I did)- skip a Starbuck’s run or whatever. I don’t know how much time Louis has left, but I do know that he is ONE OF US, & we have to look after our own, right? Thanks for reading- I know a lot of y’all have big hearts. Let’s use ‘em & help carry the burden a little, ok?”
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