Photo simply by Mark Kariya
From left in a 2011 photo: Cooper, Destry, Charlotte now and Kelsey Abbott are not only as they begin the long battle in the fight against leukemia that Destry was diagnosed with earlier this week.
It should’ve been just another race, Destry Abbott knew something was wrong.
There in Idaho for the Orofino Logger-cross (an EnduroCross-style race), he put in a couple practice laps but found himself in discomfort and out of breath despite not ramming. So he opted to recreation area it, cheer on his son Cooper, then fly home on Weekend.
Issues didn’t improve for the 40-something five-time AMA Hare & Hound National Champion-turned-EnduroCross racer after getting back in order to Phoenix so he went from the airport straight to the hospital that will night.
“He knew something was wrong because his leg was harming, ” daughter Kelsey Abbott shared. “He was like, ‘Well, I didn’t crash; I didn’t do everything. ’ He said it was fairly gnarly pain so he’s glad he [went straight to the hospital]; otherwise, he’d still have no clue. ”
The first hospital didn’t accept Destry’s insurance so they transferred him to another hospital that did. As Kelsey put it, “They had to transport him to this hospital (Banner Thunderbird Hospital in Glendale, Arizona) which was actually a blessing because this hospital is amazing and much more expert in what we’re going through. ”
After a battery of tests over the next two days, the doctors pinned throughout the cause of Destry’s extreme discomfort: leukemia. Specifically, acute lymphocyctic leukemia (ALL).
You can find more than a dozen types of leukemia and also various sub-categories, with ALL most prevalent in those under age fifteen or over 45. While the Abbotts don’t want to speculate, Kelsey said, “We’re happy because he was kind of getting yourself ready for the worst so he’s a little more positive right now.
“But he’s still got a long road ahead of him. ”
That will road will take him into radiation treatment tomorrow (Wednesday, May 19) for your first of many treatments and a very different life than anyone envisioned just last week.
“His whole life just changed due to the fact he’s so healthy, ” Kelsey pointed out. That, of course , is the result of his racing lifestyle, though the owner/creator of the DA8 Training philosophy will have to curtail his work at the facility.
“He’ll be in the hospital for fourteen days then he’ll go home for ten and come back for 14 meant for five months straight. ”
It’s extremely unlikely that Destry will be able to work or race during the times he’s in your own home, of course , and that’s going to take a lot of his savings.
That, however , is how you—the reader, his many fans and friends—can help. The Abbotts have set up a GoFundMe accounts (https://www.gofundme.com/24pwufw) to accept donations immediately. And when you’re in the SoCal area next month, former Dirt Rider Editor Tobey maguire Faught is coordinating a fundraiser at the Pole Position Raceway indoor electric karting center (1594 E. Bentley Dr ., Corona, CA 92879). Besides kart racing, there will be each silent and live auctions, bicycle displays, food trucks and lots of additional attractions. Being at the epicenter from the industry, you can also bet that many moto celebrities will attend the celebrations on June 21 from five: 00 to 10: 00 G. M.
While no one likes extended hospital stays, Kelsey noted there’s one thing that Destry enjoys: “He gets called young here a lot, which usually he’s really happy about. He is like, ‘I’ve never been known as young! ’ He’s pumped about this. ”
To help Destry Abbott and family with medical expenses, you can donate to his fund at https://www.gofundme.com/24pwufw.