The couple behind Walter the Wonder Donkey, whose rescue story turned him into an internet sensation, are asking supporters to help fund cancer treatment after exhausting their savings.

Kelly Blake was diagnosed with clear cell carcinoma in 2025 and has undergone three rounds of treatment. Now, she and her husband, Brad Blake, are seeking donations to help cover specialised care in Scottsdale, Arizona, which they say their health insurance will not cover.

The treatment could cost between $100,000 (£75,000) and $150,000 (£112,000), according to their fundraising appeal.

'It gives us the ability to fight again,' Brad told Arizona Family in an interview published on 19 October.

Couple Exhausted Savings After Three Rounds of Treatment

The Blakes, high school sweethearts who grew up in Oatman, Arizona, relocated to Colorado Springs to seek treatment for Kelly after her diagnosis.

However, the move took them away from their home and support network. Brad described the experience as something they had not anticipated, particularly the difficulty of being separated from the community they knew.

After three rounds of treatment, the couple had depleted their savings and were told to consider hospice care, according to Brad.

'We both don't believe we're anywhere near that,' he said, explaining that they were not ready to give up on pursuing further treatment.

The couple subsequently identified a specialised care centre in Scottsdale that could offer Kelly additional treatment options while allowing them to return to Arizona.

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What Is Clear Cell Carcinoma?

Clear cell carcinoma is a type of cancer characterised by cells that appear clear under a microscope. It can develop in several parts of the body, including the kidneys, ovaries, uterus, cervix and gastrointestinal tract.

The precise characteristics and treatment options depend on where the cancer originates and how it behaves. Different forms of clear cell carcinoma may require different approaches, so the diagnosis alone does not establish an individual's prognosis.

In Kelly's case, the couple are pursuing specialised care after previous treatment and say the financial burden has become a major obstacle.

Their fundraising appeal states that the first treatment requires an upfront payment of $8,000 (£6,000) to $10,000 (£7,500). The total cost of the medical treatment alone could reach $150,000 (£112,000), excluding relocation, travel and everyday living expenses while the couple are unable to work.

Walter's Online Community Rallies Around His Family

Walter became widely known after the Blakes rescued him as an orphaned baby burro seven years ago.

According to their fundraising page, the young animal weighed just 18 pounds when he entered their lives. His care required round-the-clock attention and bottle-feeding, with the couple receiving support from their growing online community.

Now, the Blakes are turning to that same community for help.

Their GoFundMe campaign, titled 'Bring Kelly Home for Life-Saving Treatment', was created to help pay for her treatment and relocation to Scottsdale.

As of 21 October, the fundraiser had collected more than $49,000 (£36,600) towards its $55,000 (£41,000) initial target, according to the campaign page.

Kelly said she had initially struggled to imagine accessing the specialised treatment because of its cost.

The couple hope the donations will help them return to Arizona, begin the next stage of Kelly's treatment and eventually reunite their family in Oatman.

For the Blakes, the support represents more than financial assistance. It offers a chance to pursue another treatment option while surrounded by the community that helped them care for Walter.

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