A Young Family in Need

UPDATE:  It is with a heavy heart that I inform everyone that Jay passed away on Friday evening, July 14th at home with his wife by his side.  He fought long and hard, but it was time for this Bill's fan to hang up his jersey.  That being said, I have updated this page to better honor Jay and the love he had for his favorite football team.

Thank you to all of you who stepped up to help out as Jessica had to step away from her job and take care of Jay until his passing.  Your help has been monumental.

Jessica is still at home, mourning her husband and trying to find a way to afford daycare for her two babies, JJ and Ella, so that she can go back to work.  With no life insurance, she is also trying to pay for burial costs out of her - quite empty - pocket right now.

I thank everyone for reading this page and considering helping this family.   Jessica (and Jay) are the type of people who would help anyone in their time of need.  I hope that you might consider doing the same.

JAY'S STORY:
Married couple Jay and Jessica were probably the most hard working, caring people you could meet.  Jay worked two full time jobs... one up until his death.  Jess had a full time position at a managment company.
They met back in 2006 and fell in love. Luckily, Jessica's one year old son, Max,  immediately took to Jay, and Jay took him in as his own.
 Over their almost 11 years, Max's struggle with autism had been a challenge.  Still, Jay helped him through, teaching him communication skills and coaching his football team.  Now, at 12 years old, Max would tell you that Jay was a superhero that saved him and his mom from their tough situation with his Max's biological father.
Three years ago, Jay and Jessica got married.  A year later, Jessica gave birth to a baby girl, Ella.  Eight months ago, she gave birth to another daughter, JJ.In March, they get hit with a bombshell: Jay, at just 41 years old, had stage 4 colon cancer, which spread to his liver, lungs, and lymph nodes.  Jay had part of his colon tumor removed. Doctors say his liver, lungs, and lymphnodes are too progressive to treat successfully.  His oncologist had said he no more than 3-6 months.
Jay was lucky enough (if you could call it so) to have 4 1/2 more months to spend with his amazing family, before succumbing to this terrible disease on July 14th. In this time, he was able to celebrate Father's Day, his 42nd birthday, and his daughter Ella's 2nd birthday.  
His family was even lucky enough to take one last trip to his hometown of Buffalo, to the Bill's stadium and meet some of the team, all courtesy of a nonprofit organization, Treasured Time, and the Buffalo Bills. (You can see his story here: Jay's Bills Story .)
It is through the generosity of people like you that Jay was able to make these last special memories with the ones that he loved.  

Now his wife Jessica has the emotional struggle of having her babies grow up without their father.  Her two year old daughter Ella asks every day for her father, and every day with a  broken heart Jessica shows her pictures of daddy.
Through everything, Jay has always said, "I just want Jess, Max, and the girls to be okay after I'm gone."  And while only time will heal the family's hearts, we can help lighten their load as they adjust to their new life.  Please help if you are able. Every little bit counts. 

Liz Halladay
Lifelong Family Friend