Surfer Blood Guitarist Thomas Fekete Diagnosed With Rare Cancer

Surfer Blood guitarist Thomas Fekete will be unable to join the band on their upcoming tour as he revealed to fans that he is battling a rare form of cancer. “A few months back, I had a major surgery to remove a large tumor from my abdomen,” Fekete wrote. “I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive cancer (a sarcoma), which unfortunately has moved. A few days ago, my doctors informed me that it had spread to my lungs and my spine.”
Fekete will begin undergoing chemotherapy this week to fight a lesion on his lower spine. However, because of the rare nature of Fekete’s cancer, he’s forced to seek “an alternative treatment plan,” one that his insurance will “only cover a portion of my treatment.” To help cover the costs – as well as the loss of income from being unable to tour – Fekete and Surfer Blood have set up a GoFundMe page for the guitarist. The band has established a goal of $76,000, $15,000 of which was already raised after just one day.
“Thomas has been playing guitar in Surfer Blood for nearly six years, but since December has been sidelined by treatment for cancer. We miss him every day on the road but we know he is incredibly strong and we have faith in him, and in his doctors,” Surfer Blood said in a statement. “We hope you can help with a donation of any size, and help spread the word by sharing on social media.”
“If you can’t help, no worries whatsoever, all I ask is that you spread the word,” Fekete said. “Any extra funds collected when this is all said and done will be donated to further my doctor’s alternative cancer research. I not only feel great, but I am in great spirits, and I know this will soon be over like a bad dream.”
Surfer Blood will release their new album 1000 Palms, recorded with Fekete, on May 12th. Read Fekete’s full letter to fans below:
“Hey all,
A few months back I had a major surgery to remove a large tumor from my abdomen. I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive cancer (a sarcoma), which unfortunately has moved. A few days ago, my doctors informed me that it had spread to my lungs and my spine.
The lesion on my lower spine will be treated with radiation, and I’ll also start chemotherapy this week. Because my cancer is so rare, there is very little research on it (cancer treatment is a business after all), so going to a typical doctor and getting loaded with all types of drugs would probably kill me. However, I found a doctor who is on the cutting edge of cancer treatments, and we have assembled a team of brilliant doctors who all seem to be extremely confident in an alternative treatment plan, to complement the chemotherapy. Because these doctors are doing things a bit differently, insurance will only cover a portion of my treatment. I never in my life thought that I would be asking for money publicly, but the universe works in funny ways.
Any bit of help would be massive for me, as I’m no longer able to tour and make a living, and my wonderful wife/best friend whom I just married in November will now be leaving work to help me throughout my treatment. If you can’t help, no worries whatsoever, all I ask is that you spread the word. Any extra funds collected when this is all said and done will be donated to further my doctor’s alternative cancer research. I not only feel great, but I am in great spirits, and I know this will soon be over like a bad dream. Please take care of yourselves, enjoy every single day. Life is beautiful. Love and light always.
-Thom”