'That's So Raven' Star Shares Emotional Plea For Help From Fans After Hospitalization

Everyone’s favorite dad, Rondell Sheridan from That’s So Raven, shared an Instagram post asking fans for help with medical bills after a painful pancreatitis diagnosis.

Disney Channel fans know the actor and comedian as Raven-Symoné’s onscreen father, Victor Baxter, on the original show and its subsequent spinoff, Cory in the House, to the 2017 reboot of Raven’s Home that ended in 2023.

Cut to this year, when Sheridan was on the road in April and got sick with what he was initially told were “gastric” issues.

Two days later, Sheridan was diagnosed with an inflammation of the pancreas and hospitalized for nine days:

“I thought I was on the road to recovery, but it was just for observation… My pancreas is inflamed, and there’s not much you can do about it but just wait for the inflammation to go down.”

Pancreatitis affects over 275,000 people in the United States each year. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the most common symptoms of pancreatitis are stomach pain that spreads to the back, as the organ sits between your stomach and spine.

Recovery time varies from several weeks to months. According to Sheridan, he has been unable to work since April 12th and will be bedridden for the foreseeable future.

Sheridan can be seen in the Instagram post below, clearly in distress, and his voice strained as he recalls the scary ordeal:

Thanking fans, Sheridan shared the GoFundMe campaign that was set up by his friend, Isabel Beyoso, with the initial goal to raise $35K for his medical expenses.

Beyoso wrote on the page:

“If we can all come together to help him financially for his medical and monthly bills while his body heals, I know this will be one giant stress we can collectively take off his shoulders, so that he can focus on resting, recovering, and healing.”

Since Sheridan posted the link, his community of family, friends, and fans has raised over $76,570 with more than 1,600 donors. One notable donor was Sheridan’s former co-star and Saturday Night Live icon, Kenan Thompson, who gave $7,000. Sheridan played Officer McWiggins on Kenan’s 1998 Nickelodeon hit television series, Kenan & Kel.

Overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity, Sheridan shared his appreciation:

Fans and celebs wished the ailing actor well:

@nickhayward2121/Instagram

@babyxdolla/Instagram

@davidalangrier/Instagram

@dannellalane/Instagram

@sneakergodmeech/Instagram

@blacktvsitcoms/Instagram

@theorlandojones//Instagram

@x_factor_05/Instagram

Some pointed out how ridiculous it was that a famous actor needed a GoFundMe to afford medical care:

@veeelouise//Instagram

@iamcarolyngriffey/Instagram

@sincerelyeccentric/Instagram

@zamnzamien.app//Instagram

@eriee_erie/Instagram

Either way, Sheridan appears to be on his way to recovery and will hopefully be back on the road and our screens again in the future.