Eric Jirtle Family

This is a story that I did not want to have to tell. I know that there are heartbreaks that many of us are faced with, and this is one of them for us. Some of you may have heard of our dear friend Eric Jirtle. Some have held him since the day he was born, others like myself, have only had the pleasure of knowing him for a short time. Thirty eight years, or four years, we can all agree he was a lovable, genuine, inspiring, good man. He has been a wonderful husband to one of the sweetest, most kindhearted friends I have, Jenn. I know that this was not what we had wanted for either of them. They just celebrated their second wedding anniversary in September. On July 20, they found out they were expecting a new baby! They were both elated! Only two days later on July 22, they found out that Eric had stage 4 cancer. It was an aggressive form of cancer with spots in his stomach, esophagus, lungs, liver, and lymph nodes. Although it was a terrifying diagnosis, they never lost hope. There have been many trips to Cleveland, Saint Mary's, Metro hospital, and Spectrum Health. We have all prayed at 11:04 (Eric's Birthday). I know many of you have helped Jenn over the past 6 months, and I know how grateful she is for all of you! It breaks my heart to watch Eric suffer. It breaks my heart to watch Jenn say goodbye to her husband, her rock, the love of her life. It breaks my heart that his parents Steve and Kim have to say goodbye to their son, their baby boy. Eric has fought through countless tough times and he gave a good fight! The doctors have now done all that they can. This is such a difficult time for all who know and love Eric and Jenn. And this is where we need to all come together and be there for Jenn, Grayson, and baby Avery.  If you are able to give in any way to help Jenn, please do. It is our goal to provide Jenn the financial peace needed to raise her beautiful children. The missed work, doctor bills, funeral expenses, and the birth of the baby are just a small part of the heartache that she is facing. Please, please help us give her some peace for this small part as she continues without Eric by her side.....