Showing his gratitude.
In the last days of 2023, the “Sexy After Dark” singer told fans that he was diagnosed with colon cancer but was optimistic about what the outcome would be with a scheduled surgery to remove the mass.
“Basically, my doctors have found a localized cancer in my colon, and I will be undergoing surgery to remove part of my colon on January 3rd. Luckily, we found it early, and it’s likely I’ll make a full recovery without further treatment. This is great news, but I will need to take a few months off after the surgery to recover.”
After the surgery, Joshua Ray Walker began chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer in his body.
After providing a few updates about how chemo was going, Walker took to social media yesterday to give an update as he finished his chemo treatment. Sadly, the most recent update did not give fans the news they were hoping to hear.
“Hey y’all! Once again, I’ve got some good and bad news to deliver. The good news is that I’ve finished chemo treatment! It was extremely tough, and I want to thank y’all so much for supporting me through this experience. My body handled it reasonably well, and I’ve begun to rebuild my strength and immune system! The bad news is that upon the completion of tests to check on the status of my cancer post treatment, multiple nodes of varying sizes were found in both my lungs.
Before I started chemo, I was told I had a 90% chance of having clear tests post treatment. So to find completely new growth in a new organ was something for which I was not prepared. This unfortunately means my cancer will likely be restaged to stage 4. I will get a lung biopsy, and start radiation soon. I wish I had more information to share but I’m still waiting to meet with a radiology oncologist following my biopsy surgery. I will keep y’all as updated as possible, and I will continue to fight my hardest. The odds have definitely shifted, but I’m not going to publish them here. It seems defeatist, and unnecessary. I’ll let you know what they were after I beat them. I’ve always lived life to the fullest and I will continue to do so.
When times are hard my instinct is to figure out how to survive financially. I work harder to ensure that me and my loved ones will have basic necessities. This trait has been very useful in life, but it makes it hard to rest when life’s difficulties aren’t solely monetary. I have a hard time asking for help, even when I believe it will be given happily. I’m launching a GoFundMe that will allow me to focus exclusively on my health and relationships during this precious time. I thank everyone so much in advance for their continued love and support.”
With the heartbreaking update, he also shared the link to his GoFundMe so fans, supporters, and others can donate to help him continue to fight the cancer.
Since sharing this news, Walker is back to show his gratitude for his fans, as he was not expecting the overwhelming support and the number of messages of encouragement.
“Hey y’all, I am just blown away by the reaction to my post yesterday. It’s just been a constant flow of well-wishes from all over the place. From childhood friends to acquaintances to everything in between; professional, personal, and family, it’s been incredible. I feel very loved and I just feel so grateful for you all. Also, I launched my GoFundMe yesterday; as I make this video, I think it sits at sixty-something thousand dollars donated. Which is an un…unfathomable…it’s a lot of money.
I’m just so thankful. I don’t have the words clearly. I just…thank you. I’m trying my best; I’m fighting my hardest. I want to continue to be a part of this music scene and a part of everyone’s lives. This money is going to allow me to be here for myself and keep fighting and focusing on my health and spending time with my loved ones. It just means the world. So, I don’t know what else to say. I feel like I can’t come up with…I wish there was a bigger word than thank you. But I’m just so grateful, and I love y’all very much.
I’ll continue to update you. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for donating. Thank you for the well wishes. Thank you for everything. We’ll talk soon.”
It’s incredible to see the country music community rally around him and support Walker financially and emotionally. In a little over 24 hours, fans have already contributed more than $75,000 towards his $300,000 goal.
We are here for you, Joshua Ray Walker, and we’ll make sure to keep you in our hearts and in our prayers.