Together for Jake: Fighting Cancer, Supporting a Family
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It is with both a heavy heart and a hopeful spirit that I share this news: Jake has been diagnosed with Advanced Stage Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the lung.
My name is Karsen Woods, I am writing this message and launching this campaign on behalf of a family very close to me. Jake is the husband of my lifelong best friend, Liz, and their family is facing an unimaginable challenge. These past four months have tested them in ways I never thought possible. Just three months ago, Liz lost her beloved mother, Judy, who faced a rapid and heartbreaking decline before her passing in September. Just as Liz, Jake, and their entire family were beginning to grieve and rebuild, their world was shaken once again with the news of this rare and aggressive cancer.
If you know Liz and Jake, you know Jake is Liz’s rock; supporting her and their 17-month-old son, Jalen, while quietly battling his own unexplained health issues.
For months, Jake sought answers for his declining health, visiting multiple doctors and receiving misdiagnoses, including long COVID, asthma, and pneumonia. By the time the correct diagnosis of cancer was made, precious time had been lost. With all of this news, Jake also lost his job—leaving them without health insurance or stable income as they face a costly and critical fight for his life.
Jake is just 31 years old and one of the kindest, most selfless people I’ve ever met. He has an incredible ability to bring laughter, love, and light to every room he enters. As a husband, father, or friend, he gives his whole heart to those he loves. And now, more than ever, he needs our help.
Despite everything, there is still hope. Liz and Jake recently found out they are expecting their second child this summer. Hearing their baby’s strong, healthy heartbeat for the first time was a much-needed reminder of the strength and resilience their family embodies. This baby is a blessing in bloom, a glimmer of light in the darkness, and yet another reason for Jake to fight with everything he has.
As Liz’s best friend, I’ve seen firsthand how incredible this family is. I’ve also seen how the medical bills and living expenses are piling up while they’re far from home—living in Tampa for Jake’s treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center, with their primary residence over seven hours away in Pensacola. The family needs to be local to Tampa, living in a temporary accommodation so Jake can receive the life-affirming care he needs, meaning that now Liz is out of work, too.
That’s why I’m reaching out to you: family, friends, and anyone moved by their story. Your support—whether through donations, sharing this fundraiser, or simply offering a kind word—will help ensure Jake gets the treatment he needs and give Liz the chance to focus on what matters most: her husband, her son, and their growing family.
From
the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing with Liz, Jake, and their family during this fight. And truly, f*ck cancer.
Organizer
Liz Dockham
Organizer
Pensacola, FL