Courageous Veteran and His Family Need Help

Why are the Friends of Jared Souder asking for help?

Jared Souder, 43-year-old loving father, husband, and courageous veteran is battling terminal brain cancer likely brought on by his service in Iraq and he has been given weeks to live. His family needs funds urgently to cover critical end-of-life expenses and everyday costs to keep the family going through this difficult and painful time.

How did we get here?

Shortly after being wounded in Iraq in 2006 from a roadside bombing, Jared learned he had a brain tumor. The tumor was treated successfully, and Jared would spend the next 15 years getting annual scans to ensure it didn’t return. Unfortunately, in 2022, he learned he did in fact have a new brain tumor, but his fate would not be the same as the first time. After enduring multiple forms of treatment including experimental therapies, Jared and family would learn as recent as early July 2023, he has weeks to live.

Both medical doctors and Veterans Affairs consider Jared’s exposure to Burn Pits in Iraq as the likely cause of this type of brain tumor. The terrible irony of this story is that Jared spent many of his post-service years helping struggling veterans by starting non-profits and events aimed at helping homeless veterans find shelter, food, hope, and a chance at a normal life. As a result, he was named by Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40 as an honoree and his work has also been recognized in numerous media outlets including the Pittsburgh Business Times.

Jared has spent his life doing what he was supposed to do. He married the love of his life, served his country, raised a beautiful, caring family, and earned an advanced graduate degree. He has served countless people in need and NOW the mission is to give back to him and his family as he has certainly earned it.

How will your donation be used?

Jared and family are getting some assistance from the VA and Jared’s employer has been nothing short of heroic in their efforts to support him. Unfortunately, this isn’t enough. His wife has been required to take unpaid leave from her job to support him as the benefits he needs won’t offer in-home care. Further, when he passes, his income will be gone and financial support from the VA will be significantly reduced.

His wife will become the sole income provider and she needs a financial safety net to help her transition over the next 12 months. This is why we’re hoping to raise $50K+ for this campaign with all donations sent directly to Jared's wife.

Your donations will support:

• End-of-life costs such as uncovered funeral and burial expenses.

• Unpaid and uncovered medical expenses.

• Household expenses such as mortgage, car payment, food, utilities, insurances, etc.

Combat veterans and officers like Jared Souder who put their life on the line for this nation should never have to face this kind of unfortunate outcome or be reduced to asking for help in this way but if you’re willing to donate, it will make a very big difference for this courageous veteran and his family.

Thank You --

Friends of Jared Souder

Pittsburgh Business Times Article

VA Statement on Burn Pits