The Focht Fight
Donation protected
In the early evening of December 31, 2016, Jeffrey W. Focht, was out shopping with his wife, Wanda, in anticipation of spending a quiet New Year’s Eve together. This New Year’s eve was not to be like any other for our dad. He suddenly sensed a metallic taste in his mouth, began to feel dizzy, and his 6 foot 3 frame went limp as Wanda instinctively lunged to cushion his fall to the floor in the middle of a crowded department store. Our dad had suffered a seizure which caused him to lose consciousness.

For two months prior to this event, Jeff had been engaged in a fierce battle with what doctors told him was viral encephalitis – an infection of the brain. Tragically, with this seizure, he was to learn that he had been mis-diagnosed. After an emergency trip to the hospital and almost eight hours in the OR with brain surgeons, a large mass - a Grade IV Glioblastoma (GBM), was surgically removed from Jeff’s brain. GBM is the most malignant and aggressive form of brain cancer.

Although the average life expectancy is 15 months for GBM, our dad, a deeply spiritual “University Professor of the Year” at DeSales University has never been average – at anything. He will fight this and he will beat this…but he needs your help. In addition to medical expenses not covered, and the prospect of a diminished income and ongoing living expenses, Jeff is facing 4-6 months of upcoming chemo and radiation treatments (five times a week), follow up tests, and medical consults. Treatments, tests, and consults require extended travel (160 miles round trip to Philadelphia), lodging, meals, gas, tolls, etc. Many have reached out to us and asked how they can help. This is the best way to help. Jeff knows he is not alone in this fight and he deeply appreciates your kindness, generosity, and prayerful thoughts.
As a husband, father, and “pop-pop”, Jeff has always been about unconditional love. His children Jackie, Monica and Nick, and grandchildren Antonio, Milan, Imani, and Ari could not have asked for a more impactful and positive role model. His spiritual walk has been the foundation for his ability to leave his mark on everyone he comes in contact with. He is involved in various humanitarian efforts, engaged in many philanthropic endeavors, and is selfless - almost to a fault.
Only second to his family and spiritual walk is his passion for teaching. Over the past 17 years he has dedicated his life to higher education. Instead of pursuing a college presidency, Jeff decided to return to his true passion-teaching. He tells anyone who will listen that he has found his dream job at DeSales University teaching leadership, marketing, and ethics courses to undergrads and MBA students. At DeSales, he has truly been inspired by his colleagues and students who enthusiastically refer to him as ‘Dr.J.”Our dad has always emphasized the importance of “significance vs. success” to his children and his students. “To make a positive impact on the world is of far greater importance than any other accomplishment.” Please help our dad continue to make a positive impact on the world.
Contact Us
Email:[email redacted]
#CancerAwareness
#CureGlioblastoma
#TheFochtFight
#prayersforjeff



For two months prior to this event, Jeff had been engaged in a fierce battle with what doctors told him was viral encephalitis – an infection of the brain. Tragically, with this seizure, he was to learn that he had been mis-diagnosed. After an emergency trip to the hospital and almost eight hours in the OR with brain surgeons, a large mass - a Grade IV Glioblastoma (GBM), was surgically removed from Jeff’s brain. GBM is the most malignant and aggressive form of brain cancer.
Although the average life expectancy is 15 months for GBM, our dad, a deeply spiritual “University Professor of the Year” at DeSales University has never been average – at anything. He will fight this and he will beat this…but he needs your help. In addition to medical expenses not covered, and the prospect of a diminished income and ongoing living expenses, Jeff is facing 4-6 months of upcoming chemo and radiation treatments (five times a week), follow up tests, and medical consults. Treatments, tests, and consults require extended travel (160 miles round trip to Philadelphia), lodging, meals, gas, tolls, etc. Many have reached out to us and asked how they can help. This is the best way to help. Jeff knows he is not alone in this fight and he deeply appreciates your kindness, generosity, and prayerful thoughts.
As a husband, father, and “pop-pop”, Jeff has always been about unconditional love. His children Jackie, Monica and Nick, and grandchildren Antonio, Milan, Imani, and Ari could not have asked for a more impactful and positive role model. His spiritual walk has been the foundation for his ability to leave his mark on everyone he comes in contact with. He is involved in various humanitarian efforts, engaged in many philanthropic endeavors, and is selfless - almost to a fault.
Only second to his family and spiritual walk is his passion for teaching. Over the past 17 years he has dedicated his life to higher education. Instead of pursuing a college presidency, Jeff decided to return to his true passion-teaching. He tells anyone who will listen that he has found his dream job at DeSales University teaching leadership, marketing, and ethics courses to undergrads and MBA students. At DeSales, he has truly been inspired by his colleagues and students who enthusiastically refer to him as ‘Dr.J.”Our dad has always emphasized the importance of “significance vs. success” to his children and his students. “To make a positive impact on the world is of far greater importance than any other accomplishment.” Please help our dad continue to make a positive impact on the world.
Contact Us
Email:[email redacted]
#CancerAwareness
#CureGlioblastoma
#TheFochtFight
#prayersforjeff
Organizer and beneficiary
Nick Feliciano
Organizer
Bethlehem, PA
Jeffrey Focht
Beneficiary