Remembering Shaji (Jacob): Funeral & Family Help

Thank you for taking the time to visit our GoFundMe campaign. Our beloved dad, Shaji, or as many of you know him, Jacob, recently passed away after a 7 year battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, faith in God, and a family of three. My dad was a holy man who lived to worship God and to love my family. He loved to work and many of you also knew him as someone who always cracked jokes and lived positively.

Dad was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2017. He fought through it with a lot of heavy chemotherapy and with God’s grace. He also suffered from follicular cancer at the same time that was treated with radiation therapy. Lastly, after we thought cancer was out of dad’s life, he was diagnosed with MDS which is a type of blood cancer. This seemed to be the last straw for him. He became weaker, slower, and more sickly. He went through a lot of pain, especially the days leading up to his death. It was hard to see him struggling and begging for relief from the pain. On Tuesday, he appeared to get some relief, little did we know that later that night his health would rapidly deteriorate and he would come to pass. It’s tough to see the person that helped take care of you as a child having to be taken care of so early. Even in his last moments, he waited for Achen to come home, prayed with the family, and right after he blessed my brother and I, with his last words of prayer, he looked up at my mom and passed. He was such a holy man and he left in such a holy and blessed way. It’s like he was waiting for that exact moment. My dad suffered a lot. More than anyone I know. He went through procedures and treatments that no one should have to go through. Yet, with God’s blessing, he was able to be with us for another 6-7 years.

As our dad came from India to create a life for us here, we lived paycheck to paycheck but he created opportunities for us to receive the best education and made many sacrifices to make sure we lived happily. However, his battle with cancer and passing has caused our family to incur both personal and funeral related expenses. As we are now faced with financial hardship, please consider donating to assist our family in need. As my mother took care of my father for the past 7 years, she became unemployed in order to become a caretaker. It has been hard making ends meet after my father had to stop working and especially after he passed.

Lastly, my dad had a lesson for everything and even though he was battling cancer the past 7 years, he taught us how to live life happily. I know he would want me to tell you all just 2 things. He would want me to ask you all to take care of my amma like he did. To watch over her, to pray for her, and to make sure she’s never alone. And lastly, to teach a lesson to you all. A lesson to always trust in God and to be positive. We truly express our gratitude for your prayers, generosity, and help. Thank you for being a part of his and our lives and for being a source of strength for us.