Help Dennis, a Kiwi battle tumour in USA hospital

Dennis, was a very fit and healthy Kiwi living his mountain guiding dreams, until his world was turned upside down when discovered he had a tumour in his chest cavity. This was discovered during medical clearance required for an upcoming job based in Antarctica, guiding the Scientists and Search & Rescue Team.

Dennis is a 34 year old Kiwi, a loving and dedicated father of his 7 year old daughter, who now resides in Seattle, USA. For work and pleasure has travelled all over the world mountain guiding, ski patrolling, hard ice guiding, rock climbing and scuba diving. Dennis has love of teaching and sharing his knowledge and keeping people safe while having amazing life experiences. Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Dennis will know his fun loving, life to the max attitude is infectious. He has guided and climbed extensively in NZ, Australia, Spain, Alaska, Canada, Patagonia, Ecuador and the Washington Cascades.

Beginning with his fascination with the Mountains at age 8, he first caught the ‘Mountain Bug’ on a multi-day trip to the Tongariro Crossing, North Island, NZ. Dennis has a passion for life in the Mountains and loves to share his enthusiasm with others.

Dennis is currently faced with major surgery to remove the tumour which currently inferring with his heart and lung functions. The biopsy was not able to reach the hard mass of the tumour, and doctors are currently unsure what type of tumour it is. Dennis is faced with a long battle.

The fight won’t be easy; his health insurance company will cover some, but not all of the ongoing medical costs. We do not have any idea of the costs as yet, surgery to remove the tumour cannot happen until his pneumonia is healed. Once it is removed, tests will be completed to determine the nature of the tumour and any ongoing treatment. At this stage with his ER visit & 'deductible' (i.e. insurance excess) incurring costs amounting to $NZ17,150 to date. Following surgery there will be an extended time when he is unable to work whilst recovering, and will not have an income, so some of your kind donations may need to be used for living expenses while he recovers and receives further treatment.

We have belief in his strength and determination to battle and hopefully conquer what he is facing, and he has told us he will “knock the bastard off” just like when he is summits a mountain.

It’s these difficult times in life where we rely on our support network and the kindness of family, friends and strangers to step up and do everything they can to help. All the money from this Givealittle page will go towards Dennis’s fight.