Support for the Macfarlan Family: Honoring Michael’s Legacy

Support for the Macfarlan Family: Honoring Michael’s Legacy

On February 28th, our beloved brother, husband, father, and friend, Michael Macfarlan, passed away in the early morning hours after a courageous three-year battle with cancer. He was 39 years old. Michael’s life was marked by faith, resilience, humor, and an unwavering love for his family and the wide community of people who walked alongside him in his journey. His words and reflections touched countless hearts, and you can read many of his letters here: https://medium.com/@mdmacfar

Michael leaves behind his devoted wife Jodi and their four young children, whose futures he cared for deeply. While the family has always lived with careful stewardship, the challenges of this prolonged fight against cancer have left financial burdens that we hope to ease together as a community.

How These Funds Will Help

Your support will go directly to the Macfarlan family to:

1 Cover the costs of Michael’s memorial service and burial, allowing loved ones to come together and honor his life.

2 Pay outstanding medical bills from his extensive treatments at Johns Hopkins, UVA, and other facilities—many of which are still being processed.

3 Support household and educational expenses as the family adjusts to life without Michael’s income.

4 Secure the children's educational future, ensuring that Michael’s greatest hope for them—opportunities for learning and growth—is preserved.

If you wish to make a tax-deferred contribution toward the children’s 529 education savings accounts, or contribute a larger IRS-compliant gift directly to Jodi, please contact Luke Macfarlan using the "CONTACT" button further down this page.

Our Goal

Given the immediate expenses and long-term needs, we are setting a fundraising goal of $150,000. This figure accounts for:

• Memorial and burial costs (~$15,000)

• Outstanding medical expenses (still unknown, but could be substantial)

• Household stability, mortgage, and debts (~$50,000)

• Future education contributions for the children

We know that no number can truly measure the loss of Michael, but your generosity can ease the road ahead for Jodi and the children. Any amount is deeply appreciated, whether large or small. If you are unable to contribute financially, sharing this campaign with others is also a tremendous way to show your support.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you most of all for the way you have loved Michael, Jodi, and their children.

Michael's Obituary

With gratitude,

The Macfarlan Family