Raul Malo has been in the headlines plenty across the past year as he has bravely battled stage 4 cancer, but things took a big-time turn for The Mavericks frontman back in September.
And it was an ominous turn at that.
The 60-year-old was also diagnosed with Leptomnigeal Disease, for which there is currently no cure, and just this week he was hospitalized again on the eve of a two-night show to honor his career at The Ryman.
Malo’s battle against the hellish disease has been brutal, but it has revealed some beautiful chapters in life, too. For instance, his wife, Betty Malo, has often written on social media about the wonderful support that his fans have sent their way. And one measure of that comes as Malo, who has traveled to Texas for treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center, hits one of the hardest stretches of his fight.
The singer has had a fine career, and The Mavericks were touring well into this year, but trying to beat such a fierce disease can be costly. Because of that, Betty launched a GoFundMe to help fund treatment, and she referenced it again as he was hospitalized on Thursday.
That GoFundMe has currently raised more than $260,000. You can see the campaign and the messages from folks who have donated here.
Betty Malo shared the news on Facebook Thursday that Raul was in the hospital.
“Our love is fighting hard right now but not a second goes by that he doesn’t appreciate all the love everyone shows him,” she wrote along with photos of the two holding hands. “The boys and I had to bring him to the ER earlier today but (Raul Malo) is stable and ready to fight. We are all excited for (The Ryman) shows and hope everyone enjoys them! Raul has changed many lives and his music has brought so much love to so many people. Let’s all stand with him and rally!!!”
Malo is being honored at the Ryman in a two-night show that began Friday. The Mavericks announced the event last month.
“We’re proud to announce the Dance The Night Away: A 35-year Musical Legacy Celebrating The Mavericks & Honoring Raul Malo, December 5-6 at (Ryman) Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee,” the statement read. “A 2-night tribute show in honor of Raul and the band’s decades-long history and contributions to American and Latin music, these special evenings will feature guest appearances from an exceptional lineup of friends and artists performing selections from The Mavericks’ storied catalog of classics.”
The group shared a long list of performers who are scheduled to take part including Jamy Johnson, Marty Stuart, Steve Earle, Chuck Mead, Cimafunk, Emily West, Hector Tellez Jr., Jaime Hana, JD McPherson, James Otto, Jim Lauderdale, Jese Dayton, Jimmie Vaughan, Joshua Ray Walker, Maggie Rose, Mandy Barnett, Nicole Atkins, Waylon Payne, Sweet Lizzy Project, Wade Hayes, Seth Walker, Nikkie Lane, Patty Griffin and Ray Benson.