Help Jack Fight Cancer

Who this will help

Hi, my name is Shelley and I'm raising funds for my son Jack, who was recently diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Jack is 16 years old, and he's a junior at FDR High School in Hyde Park.

Why I'm fundraising

In late August of 2023, Jack began complaining of pain in his ankle. We assumed he hurt himself while training with his high school track team. An MRI showed an aggressive tumor in his left ankle. He had a biopsy in November, and we were told the tumor is malignant. He had his first chemotherapy treatment during Thanksgiving week; the first of many. Jack will also require surgery in February. There are two options: a bone fusion, which will require several surgeries over an extended period of time and will limit his mobility, or a mid-calf amputation. Jack is an athlete who has played sports his whole life. He loves going to the gym and being active with his friends. This diagnosis has impacted his life and his future in a way I never expected. The daily activities typically enjoyed by teenagers are now replaced with trips to the hospital for week-long treatments and a seemingly impossible decision about which surgery to choose. Throughout it all, Jack has remained calm, brave, and incredibly strong.

The impact of your support

Jack is being treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in Manhattan. We are so grateful to be getting such wonderful care, but the expenses are overwhelming. The Ronald McDonald House has limited openings, and we have been waitlisted for his treatment next week. In addition to the inevitable medical bills, we will be paying for hotels in the city, Ubers back and forth to the hospital, gas and tolls, and food. We may also need to do some minor renovations in the house to accommodate his physical needs after the surgery. Any funds remaining after his treatment has concluded will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House.

This diagnosis is the last thing any of us expected. Jack's older brother and sister, who still live at home, have done their best to keep Jack's spirits up as they try to process all the changes that have happened to our family. We are currently down to one income, as Jack's medical needs require one parent to be coordinating his appointments and treatments full-time. The emotional toll has been indescribable. The financial stress makes it seem impossible to manage.

We are blessed to have a strong community of friends, family, co-workers and neighbors who have helped in any way they can. The outpouring of support and concern has been remarkable. The love that others have shown Jack, and my family, has helped us find strength and positivity during an extremely difficult time in our lives. Any assistance would be appreciated more than we could ever express. Thank you for your time.