Help Big Jon Beat Cancer (Again)

Big Jon gets dressed, ensuring he puts on a sharp-looking shirt, most often a snazzy button-up print shirt. He makes sure his camera and microphone are positioned correctly, his computer and programs are up to date, his self-made graphical overlays are right, and his internet is working.
 
Then, he starts his broadcast. He broadcasts for 8+ hours; talking with his hundreds of viewers, engaging with them, sharing funny stories, providing entertaining commentary. Broadcasts involve Big Jon primarily doing one of two things: playing classic video games as fast as possible: in the video game community this is called speedrunning. Or he hosts classic game shows like The Price is Right and Press Your Luck. You can watch him live or see one of his past broadcasts right now. 
 
This is a typical day for Big Jon; a man who has been a broadcaster on Twitch, a live-streaming service, for over 5 years. What is not typical these days is that Big Jon has cancer...again.

 
A few years ago Big Jon was diagnosed with cancer. He underwent chemotherapy and his cancer went into remission. Fast forward to just a month ago and his cancer has returned.

This time around however, Big Jon isn't planning on getting treatment. He's still owes money from his first fight with cancer and he doesn't want to incur a lifelong debt that would burden his momma and dad, whom he helps support, if this round of cancer kills him.

Big Jon entertains hundreds of people nearly every day for longer than most people's work day. This is his primary income. He used to work in IT on US government contracts but thanks to the 2019 government shutdown, that contract fell through and he hasn't been able to acquire work like that since. Even today, Big Jon still dedicates some of his income to help his parents and some to help support his godkids. Yes, Big Jon is an absurdly selfless person.

Big Jon is also a speedrunner: he attempts to beat video games as fast as possible, not unlike many Olympic athletes; always looking to go faster than his last run. Big Jon provides a rare experience on Twitch: a family-friendly space. He doesn't play ultra-violent games. He doesn't swear. He doesn't rage. He doesn't do what so many bigger, more popular Twitch broadcasters do because that's not who he is. He is a warm, friendly, inviting man and his community of followers match that. Honestly, if you're looking for some wholesome entertainment for your kids to watch that doesn't require cable TV; look to Big Jon.

Even more rare is the level of interaction he has created for his viewers. Those classic game shows he plays with his audience? These are games that he programmed himself so that his viewers can play, with Big Jon acting as Bob Barker or Peter Tomarken, respectively. Viewers can opt-in to be part of the game's audience and then they are randomly selected to play. There are no real prizes to win but both games play just like their real-world counterparts. Here is a short clip of a viewer having terrible (incredible?) luck on Press Your Luck.  Yes, Big Jon programmed every single The Price is Right mini-game and has set up a database full of items that have been featured on The Price is Right with their associated prices. As far as I know, Big Jon is the only broadcaster (among millions) who has gone to these lengths to provide such an interactive, fun experience for his audience. And here's a short clip of viewers making a big spin on The Price is Right (again the prizes aren't real but the excitement is). 

And he does so much for the speedrunning community. He is constantly promoting smaller broadcasters, constantly donating his time to charitable events, constantly giving to others. Honestly, if he was a little more selfish, I might not be here on GoFundMe. But that's not Big Jon. Heck, he's so selfless, he's probably going to be a bit mad at me for putting this GoFundMe together.


But that's just it: I refuse to let Big Jon not seek treatment. He is a fantastic person and a rarity within the gamer world and I want to do everything I can to try to help him against his cancer.

But I don't have $50,000 to give to Big Jon. That's why we, his community, need your help. $50,000 is a lot, for sure, but every donation, no matter how small, helps. I wish the American Healthcare system wasn't so flawed but it is so that's why we're looking for $50,000. This money would be spent as such:
- $15,000 to eliminate Big Jon's previous cancer debt.
- $35,000+ towards treatment for this next cancer fight.


#BumpTheOdds