Jason Shimasaki's Medical Fund

Anyone who knows Jason already knows what a hardworking, fun loving, and caring man he is.  He is often the first person to offer a helping hand to help someone in need.  He has been married to his wife Allyson for almost 25 years and they have three beautiful children: Justin, Jack, and Jenna.  On July 10, Jason's wife took him to the emergency room for pain in his chest and side.   After checking his heart and lungs, doctors gave him pain medication and sent him home telling him to follow up with his primary care physician because he had a "spot" on his liver.  On July 27 we found that the "spot" was actually two tumors (one 13 centimeters and another 7 centimeters).  The diagnosis was hepatocellular carcinoma: primary liver cancer.  Although liver cancer is common, Jason's presented itself in a unique way because it had grown into and completely blocked the major vein in the liver.  Because of this complication and the advanced size of the tumors, his case was beyond the scope of local oncologists.  He was referred to UCLA, and after much battling with the insurance company, he was approved for radioembolization.  The procedure involves injecting radioactive spheres directly into the tumors to try to shrink the tumors from the inside out.  The goal is to shrink the tumor enough to make surgery possible.

Jason has always been the social epicenter of his family.  Always quick to joke with people and make them laugh.  He is a big brother to his one brother and the first born of several cousins who grew up together in Southern California and spent their summers’ together working on their uncle’s farm.  Because he was the oldest, he was used to taking care of people, and until he got sick, he would drop anything to go help a friend or family member with a project.  Being the oldest also made him very traditional: he holds strongly to his values of honor, love for your family, respect, friendship, and hard work.

Jason is no stranger to struggle.  Several years ago when his wife was pregnant with their third child, he was laid off from his job of 18 years, his best friend died from brain cancer, and his wife was put on modified bed rest all within a period of three months.  He worked at a new job until his new company didn't have money to pay him anymore, and worked in other jobs where he accepted low pay, no medical benefits and lots of travel away from his family so that he could continue to support them.  After struggling for years, he had finally landed his dream job at SpaceX four months before his diagnosis.  He will now fight to conquer the biggest challenge he will ever face.  And we believe in him.

We are hopeful that with a little help from family, friends, acquaintances, clients, and even strangers with big hearts, we can ensure that Jason receives the proper care that his condition requires, as soon as possible.  Jason is going to have a long journey ahead of him, and we are unclear at this point as to if/when he will be able to return to work.  What is clear is that the emotional and financial cost of this journey will not be easy.  To help the Jason and his family during this time, a fund has been set up to pay for previous and future medical expenses.  It has been difficult to set a dollar amount for this funding effort.  At this point, no one can really get his or her arms around what lies ahead, but all acknowledge it will be difficult and costly.  No treatment has begun yet, and co-pays have already exceeded $7,000.  With this in mind, the initial target has been set at $50,000, in what is sure to be a fluid effort.

Any donation is helpful!  If we could take the ease off of some financial encounters the family will endure it would be greatly appreciated.  Please know how much your support, love and hope means to the Shimasaki family.  Thank you in advance for whatever contribution you can make; it is appreciated beyond words.

We hope that you will continue to keep Jason and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  Thank you!