ETOBICOKE, Ontario, CMC – Profitable Barbadian reinsman Rico Walcott was trying ahead to this racing season after transferring his tack east from the Canadian west coast to Woodbine.
However the 35-year-old is in a battle for his life after he suffered a seizure, and a subsequent imaging scan found a mind tumor had returned in the identical place – the left frontal lobe – the place an preliminary malignant development the scale of a golf ball was discovered and eliminated 5 years in the past.
“A biopsy confirmed that the most recent tumor was Grade 4 IDH mutant astrocytoma, which is now a high-grade glioma,” coach Twylla Bensmiller, who has began a GoFundMe web site for Walcott, mentioned in an article showing on the Canadian Thoroughbred web site.
Glioma is a kind of mind or spinal twine tumor that begins in glial cells, supportive cells surrounding the neurons in your mind, nourishing and insulating them.
“Everyone is in shock,” Bensmiller mentioned. “He didn’t need anyone to know. It’s horrible.
“The docs mentioned that [chemotherapy and radiation treatment] may purchase him a while, but it surely wasn’t assured, so Rico has chosen to go the pure means and never do the chemo and radiation.”
“As an alternative, Rico has chosen non-public, holistic therapy in Honduras. Everyone has the fitting to decide on what they wish to do, and Rico has selected the latter – but it surely’s costly.”
Bensmiller mentioned the purpose was to boost CAN $ 30,000 to assist Walcott, who has two daughters, Sunday and Knowledge, and a spouse, Shakira.
Walcott, who has been the main jockey within the Canadian province of Alberta 11 instances since leaving Barbados 17 years in the past to hitch Rickey, his older brother, was trying ahead to this racing season after transferring to Woodbine, the nation’s major racing facility.
“With none therapy, the docs advised him that he solely had 12 to 16 months left,” Walcott’s agent, Bob Fowlis, added. “It’s horrible information. He wants a miracle. He doesn’t just like the phrase most cancers; he’s making an attempt to be optimistic.”
Fowlis mentioned Walcott had common imaging scans that have been all clear, however the newest scan revealed that the tumor had grown again 1.7 centimeters.
“For those who will help in any means, it might be vastly appreciated,” Bensmiller mentioned about donations to the GoFundMe web site. “Each little bit helps.
“Please say a prayer for Rico. He wants all of the prayers he can get proper now.” ac
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