The singer of Planes Mistaken For Stars, Gared O’Donnell has revealed that he has stage three esophageal cancer. Emily Francis, the tour manager for the band has started a GoFundMe account for the singer.
Planes Mistaken For Stars was formed in 1997 in Peoria, Illinois. The band released three studio albums together before breaking up in 2008. Planes worked with various different labels through the years before their split including Deep Elm Records, Deathwish inc., No Idea records and more.
According to the source, The PRP, the cancer is advanced and currently inoperable. There is still research being conducted to see what the best form of treatment for the singer should be, but until then they are proceeding with chemotherapy and with radiation. Because of the location of the cancer, O’Donnell and his family are doing everything they can to save his voice.
Francis mentions in her explanation of her relationship with the family on the GoFundMe, that she met the band while she was in college and that it changed her life. She booked shows for Planes Mistaken For Stars, and from there it grew into her becoming their tour manager, until 2008. Francis continues to explain her connection that she had with O’Donnell saying, “He pushed me to love everybody and everything in a whole different way. He taught me that we only live once so grab life by the balls and push to do what you love no matter what.”
At the end of the heartfelt post for the GoFundMe account, the former tour manager for the band asks to please respect the family’s privacy at this time. Francis also includes endearing pictures of Gared O’Donnell performing, as well as loving moments with his family, along with funnier moments of him dressed in a pink fairy costume. Francis acknowledges that during a pandemic, everyone has fell on hard times, but that any little bit helps.
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