Friends of Michael Louis Calvillo, please read

I met Michael online a couple of years ago - he was very kind and sent a copy of his excellent debut novel I Will Rise. I instantly became a fan and was blown away by his second novel As Fate Would Have It - one of the best novels I read in 2009.

I was lucky enough to meet Michael in person at WHC 10 and spend time with him and his family.

Benjamin Kane Ethridge posted this first on the Horror Writers Association board...

Michael has cancer. At first we believed it was a pinched sciatic nerve, because of pain in his leg. He went and had some tests. They found out that it was a tumor in his back.

And his next appointment revealed the cancer had spread through his entire body. This is all happening so quickly and unexpectedly-- Michael is only 36 years old and has appeared healthy until recently. The problem with this form of cancer is that it is rare and sudden. Cancer - Unknown Primary, or CUP. They can't find the primary site of the cancer, so this complicates treatment.

Michael and his family are fighting this head on and remaining positive. But their medical provider offered no hope or willingness to aggressively treat his cancer. Essentially, they immediately gave up on him. The Calvillos are already having to battle to get him treatments and consultations outside his network. They are going to need all the help they can get. If not today, then soon.There is now a PayPal account, if anybody wanted to donate in that fashion.

The email address to send donations to: calvillohopefund@gmail.com

Some of you may know that I already run raffles at BFS Open Nights (FREE EVENTS) and I hope to do so in the future to help Michael and his family - venue to be confirmed.

I already have several books that have been donated including a signed copy of Tom Piccirilli's Futile Efforts - if you wish to help out and can donate something for the cause please get in touch with me via the website or usual addresses.