Cancer: It's a word no one wants to hear. Especially when it happens to a family member.

As many members of the East Texas Herpetelogical Society (ETHS) in Houston know, a longtime member of their family and the herp community, Nathan Wells, has been fighting a battle with cancer since first diagnosed in the summer of 2012.

Nathan kept friends and family up to date with his battle throughout the year, posting updates of his fight from hospital bed describing his treatments and procedures, until he beat his cancer.

But as any cop will tell you, you may beat the ticket, but you never beat the ride.

Even with medical insurance, a long cancer fight is an expensive battle, one that continues long after the illness has passed, and Nathan and his family have been left with a pile of medical bills.

His family at ETHS pitched in during their 23rd Annual Conference and Breeders Expo over the weekend, and held a fundraiser with a goal of raising $10,000 for Nathan's medical expenses. They continue to take donations on his behalf.

Nathan's story, a story that can happen to any one of us, is detailed on the ETHS website this month. To read more about one herper's incredible fight against cancer and for details on how to donate to his medical expense fund, click here.