Currents guitarist Ryan Castaldi has been diagnosed with Low-Grade Follicular Lymphoma. According to Currents, Castaldi was diagnosed in November 2022 and is currently undergoing treatment before returning to touring duties with the band. Currents is seeking $60,000 to help with Castaldi's medical bills via GoFundMe. You can donate here.
We wish Ryan all the best and look forward to him getting well soon. The following is the description found on the GoFundMe page.
"Ryan Castaldi, guitar player for Currents, has been diagnosed with Low-Grade Follicular Lymphoma, which is a non-Hodgkin's type of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system. He was diagnosed in November 2022.
"Six months prior to diagnosis, Ryan noticed a small lump in his armpit that slowly grew larger. A biopsy in October showed that it was indeed cancer. It is called 'low-grade' follicular lymphoma because the abnormal cells are a slow-growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma that can go undiagnosed for years. The abnormal cells develop in clumps inside lymph nodes. This type of lymphoma is considered controllable, but not necessarily curable because it is slow growing.
"Ryan is currently in Stage 3 and the cancer was detected both above and below Ryan's diaphragm. Ryan began his treatment with Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Center at the end of December and his treatment includes both chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody. This treatment will last for six months followed by 2 years of maintenance monoclonal antibody treatment.
"Overall, the prognosis for Ryan is very favorable but it will be a long journey. During the first six months of treatment, Ryan will not be touring with Currents. If treatment goes well, Ryan is hoping to be back on tour with Currents during the summer.
"Ryan has a very positive attitude and outlook about his current situation but will truly miss touring and being on the road with his Currents family.
"All donations and support will go towards medical expenses (deductibles, co-pays, and maximum out-of-pocket expenses), treatments, and living expenses. Being that Ryan is currently under treatment, Ryan's father Steve Castaldi will be handling the financial side (monetary donations) of this fundraiser on behalf of Ryan Castaldi.
"Thank you in advance for all your generosity, prayers, and support for Ryan in his fight against cancer. He will beat this.
"GoFundMe Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ryancastaldi
"Inside & outside of Currents, Ryan's been family for over 10 years. We'll be missing him on stage and in the van with us for the next 6 months, but we're optimistic about his prognosis and confident that his comeback will be massive. The best we can do now is be there for him & help in whatever way we can.
"We're working on additional ways to fundraise for Ryan & his family in the coming weeks and look forward to sharing that info with all of you. In the meantime, please send Ryan your love & well wishes and be sure to spread the GoFundMe page. We love you all and we'll be seeing you soon."
