Help the Bastow Family

UPDATED - Hi all who have been on this journey with the Bastow Family!  I've learned way more than I ever cared to know about cancer at this point, but one thing has become abundantly clear -- the journey is unforgiving, the journey is lonely, and the journey is long.  There have been ups and downs over the past year (YES - it's been almost a year since we started this page).  Go to Jason's facebook page to see the latest update OR LOOK BELOW on 2/26/2021.  

All in all, I've come back to edit this page (while Jason just got out of their latest 3 week-stay in the hospital).  Jackson has the rest of 2021 to continue his treatments -- things are looking good so far, but it's also far from over.  I've increased the funding goals because there have been new developments in the Bastow family.  Jason's long-standing 15 year run with Hyatt has come to an end (recently let go) and so I wanted to up the goal to help.  Help if you can financially, but either way keep praying for healing.  It's working. <END OF UPDATE>

With such a heavy heart, I have a sad story to share about one of my closest friends in the world.  I've known Jason for over 20 years now and he'd give you the shirt off his back and has always been that way.  He and his wife Cat need our help.  I'm not talented enough to share the words to tell you how much I love this family, but I'm going to try and I hope you can find a moment to read this and are touched to contribute.

Jackson Bastow, born in June 2018, came into the world and made his parents so happy and he quickly showed the world he was a fighter.  He was born with a hole in his heart, causing him to labor for breathing, which made it hard for him to put on weight and needed a feeding tube.  Unfortunately that didn't heal on it's own and he had to undergo open heart surgery before he was 6 months old.

That's enough on it's own, but last night I got a text from my friend...he was in the ER again...this time Jackson has cancer.  My heart literally broke. Specifically, Jackson has a stage 3 neuroblastoma behind his liver.  He'll need another intense surgery and chemotherapy, which means a long battle ahead.  I'm not a doctor, so I can't go into more detail, but I know his parents are hurting.  I mean come on already - a 2 year old shouldn’t have to suffer this much. 2020 has been a bear for all of us, but Jason works in the hospitality field, which arguably has been hit the hardest by Coronavirus.

I can't explain the illness, but I do have a background in healthcare finances and I know this ordeal will be expensive in a time where job certainty is not a surety, but even worse was when I asked Jason if I could help and he said “I can’t really think of anything other than holding my son.” I fell silent, but then pushed him to let me launch this so we can help his family during this trying time. I spoke with some peers and they believe this will cost significant dollars (hundreds of thousands) over a 2yr plus battle I’m hoping to help them along the process and use these funds to help them cover the hospital bills. Please consider helping as well.