The Arras Family Benefit Fund

On April 25, 2014, Jim was diagnosed with later stage pancreatic cancer and given a very grim prognosis of less than a month to live. From that night, numbers and their meaning have been so much a part of the Arras’ daily life. The cancer panel #s, the 13-hour surgery, the days of hospital time, the transfusions and infusions, the weight loss, the weeks of chemo, the days of radiation, the cost of cancer care, the countless hours doubled over in pain and sleepless nights, etc.

Jim's condition is currently critical but changes daily. He was in ICU for 5 days and now has been moved to an acute floor at Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, WA.

We created this account to support the Arras family and any of their financial needs such as family travel and grief counseling. Please donate if you are able and also share with family and friends. Thank you for supporting this amazing family!

We have also created an account at Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU). They offer shared branching so you can go to any credit union nationwide and make a deposit, do an automatic transfer or billpay online, or send in a check. The STCU member number is 358899 and is called the "The Arras Family Benefit Fund."


Here are a couple posts from Cyndy's FB page about their journey:

“August 21, 2014, a year ago today, Jim underwent a 13 hour surgery to remove a large part of his pancreas, stomach & duodenum. That surgery alone is life-changing. Couple that with the fact that pancreatic cancer continues to invade other parts of his body  & you can understand what a true warrior Jim is. As far as the medical community is concerned, Jim should have earned his wings already. They have nothing to offer him as chemo & radiation have not been effective & have taken a toll on his body & there are no further surgical options. Many of you also know that Jim was an  athlete & coach. He now struggles to walk even a short distance but each day he pushes himself as he did his players to go just a little farther. He is using many alternative approaches & is in charge of his treatment. The past 6 months have been very difficult yet he continues to find joy in each & every day he
 has been blessed with. None of us know what our lives will be like from day to day but we all hope for happiness. Jim finds happiness & grace in each day. Since he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April 2014, he has celebrated not one but 2 birthdays. He walked our son down the aisle when he was married in March. He is rejoicing in the news that we will have another grandchild (our 4th) born in December. He has marveled at how Kristin manages  motherhood, a challenging job, and a new home. He glows knowing Sarra will now be officiating college ball & has also moved into a managerial position at work. He looks forward to Skype  calls, phone calls, and texts from our 3 grandkids. Jim was bound & determined to get a pool table & a greenhouse - he has both & both have kept him occupied. He has beaten me in over 100 games of eight ball & I absolutely love being the loser because we
 WON all of these days together. So many of you have continued to support Jim & our family through prayer & encouragement. What a team we have been blessed with, our Earth  Angels. Thanks again.”

September 28, 2015- “I am married to the most determined man around. He is not ready to wave a white flag to this terrible pancreatic cancer no matter how badly it is kicking his butt right now. I have always trusted Jim's decisions as he dragged me around the country for 40 years of adventure...so, of course, I am all in on this trek too.”

October 7, 2015- “Please consider reading this through to the end. Repetitions welcomed.
Heavenly Father, I call on you right now  in a special way. It is through Your power that Jim Arras was created.  Every breath he takes, and every moment of every hour,  he lives under Your power.
Father,  we ask You now to touch Jim with that same power: For if You created Jim from nothing,  You can certainly recreate him. Fill Jim with the  healing power of Your spirit. Cast out anything that should not be in him. Mend what is broken.  Root out any unproductive cells. Open any blocked arteries or veins and rebuild any damaged area. Remove all inflammation and cleanse any infection.
Let the warmth of Your healing love pass through  Jim's body to make new any unhealthy areas so that his body will function the way You created it to function.
And Father,  restore Jim to full health in mind, body, and spirit,  so he may serve You the rest of his life. Amen.”