Jake's Journey
Donation protected
Please help me in supporting my friend Gina Schwab and her family as they prepare for yet another Journey in their son Jake’s lifelong battle.
Let me tell you about “Jake’s Journey”. Jake was born with an immune deficiency that has required IV treatments every 2 weeks since he was 3 months old. For the first 18 years these treatments required traveling to Phoenix due to the fact that Lake Havasu did not have a pediatric immunologist or a pediatric facility. If this wasn’t challenging enough, last September Jake was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease known as Crohn’s. This past 8 months involved countless trips to the Mayo Hospital in Phoenix and the emergency room here in Lake Havasu. Jake has lost an alarming amount of weight, endures severe and chronic pain every day and has already undergone one surgical procedure. This has caused Gina to take a leave from work which has meant no income for the past month already. Sean continues to work hard while Gina has been taking care of Jake. Jake has also had to miss work, college classes and just enjoying life as a teenager.
Today they will be traveling to Phoenix where Jake will undergo major surgery on Tuesday to resection his intestine. We are hoping this surgery will relieve Jake’s pain and give the family much needed answers going forward. The family will be in Phoenix for at least two weeks and expect six to eight weeks for recovery.
I am asking for your help because many of you know this amazing family and like me and her close friends, feel helpless and want to do something. Living here over 45 years, this family has set a high standard for volunteering and giving to this community. Many of you know Jake’s grandparents Joe and Evie Cistaro. They have been by Jake’s side every step of the way and do everything they can. Evie not only gives all her time volunteering, but she has been on numerous committees over the years always helping so many in our community. Her most notable accomplishment was starting up the Lake Havasu Cancer Association back in 1999 bringing about many events we know and love today. She was very passionate about keeping the funds raised to benefit local residents. Gina is cut from the same mold as her mother. I see her big heart always helping others. She has always maintained a positive attitude and an incredible amount of strength and never ever asking for help ever since the beginning of “Jake’s Journey”. So I am asking for help because I know this past year has been incredibly challenging and no parent can really prepare for this. Sean and Gina have been so strong and have made it work all these years but sometimes it is out of your control and life gives you more than you can handle. If there was ever the right time to help them now is the time.
Please help us reach our goal by donating, sharing this on your page, emailing or sending to those you feel you need to share with, or simply sending them prayers so that we can reach out to all who know them and would want to be a part of this effort. If you prefer not to donate here you can send a check made out to Gina Schwab to Ed’s Deli, 2025 McCulloch Blvd., Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404
Thank you,
Chrystine (Chrissy) Trafecanty
Let me tell you about “Jake’s Journey”. Jake was born with an immune deficiency that has required IV treatments every 2 weeks since he was 3 months old. For the first 18 years these treatments required traveling to Phoenix due to the fact that Lake Havasu did not have a pediatric immunologist or a pediatric facility. If this wasn’t challenging enough, last September Jake was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease known as Crohn’s. This past 8 months involved countless trips to the Mayo Hospital in Phoenix and the emergency room here in Lake Havasu. Jake has lost an alarming amount of weight, endures severe and chronic pain every day and has already undergone one surgical procedure. This has caused Gina to take a leave from work which has meant no income for the past month already. Sean continues to work hard while Gina has been taking care of Jake. Jake has also had to miss work, college classes and just enjoying life as a teenager.
Today they will be traveling to Phoenix where Jake will undergo major surgery on Tuesday to resection his intestine. We are hoping this surgery will relieve Jake’s pain and give the family much needed answers going forward. The family will be in Phoenix for at least two weeks and expect six to eight weeks for recovery.
I am asking for your help because many of you know this amazing family and like me and her close friends, feel helpless and want to do something. Living here over 45 years, this family has set a high standard for volunteering and giving to this community. Many of you know Jake’s grandparents Joe and Evie Cistaro. They have been by Jake’s side every step of the way and do everything they can. Evie not only gives all her time volunteering, but she has been on numerous committees over the years always helping so many in our community. Her most notable accomplishment was starting up the Lake Havasu Cancer Association back in 1999 bringing about many events we know and love today. She was very passionate about keeping the funds raised to benefit local residents. Gina is cut from the same mold as her mother. I see her big heart always helping others. She has always maintained a positive attitude and an incredible amount of strength and never ever asking for help ever since the beginning of “Jake’s Journey”. So I am asking for help because I know this past year has been incredibly challenging and no parent can really prepare for this. Sean and Gina have been so strong and have made it work all these years but sometimes it is out of your control and life gives you more than you can handle. If there was ever the right time to help them now is the time.
Please help us reach our goal by donating, sharing this on your page, emailing or sending to those you feel you need to share with, or simply sending them prayers so that we can reach out to all who know them and would want to be a part of this effort. If you prefer not to donate here you can send a check made out to Gina Schwab to Ed’s Deli, 2025 McCulloch Blvd., Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404
Thank you,
Chrystine (Chrissy) Trafecanty
Organizer and beneficiary
Chrystine Roose-Trafecanty
Organizer
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Gina Cistaro Schwab
Beneficiary