Jerry's Fight For Life
Donation protected
Jerry VanNoy is a registered nurse and is fighting stage IV Cholangiocarcinoma, also known as bile duct cancer.
At the time of his diagnosis, Jerry worked two jobs to make ends meet. He is currently on leave from both jobs and has no income at this time. However, this life changing event would be costly even if he were able to continue working. With the support of his family, friends, coworkers, and YOU, he will have the best fighting chance to survive.
The background on this young man is amazing, to say the least! This is approximately the eighth time (give or take one or two) Jerry has battled with serious medical problems. He was first diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) when he was 16 years old and playing high school baseball. UC is a chronic disease that causes ulcers on the inner lining of the large intestine. It is painful and disruptive, but did not prevent Jerry from going on to play baseball at Rice University alongside Lance Berkman (Houston Astros). He silently battled the pain & problems that accompany UC when, at the age of 24, Jerry was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a chronic disease that slowly damages the bile ducts. At age 27, his UC became so bad he had to have a total colectomy along with ileostomy until the small bowel could be reconnected.
Other problems continued to plague Jerry the following year. He was diagnosed with Graves Disease and alopecia, experiencing total body hair loss in one month. In 2007, his mother Marian was diagnosed with lymphoma. Eight months later, he was forced to say goodbye to his dad, Eric, who had a massive heart attack and died at the age of 49.
In 2010, Jerry was diagnosed with Fistulizing Crohn's Disease. However, Jerry enjoyed a reprieve from health issues until December 2014, at which time he began experiencing severe abdominal pain. He was admitted into the hospital in January 2015 for two weeks. It was during this stay that he was given the devastating diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. Due to lymph node involvement, Jerry's cancer is considered stage IV.
Jerry's story is not one of illness, but one of triumph over illness. His mom, Marian, says he has never complained despite his medical problems. He has instead proven himself an inspiration. While battling these horrific diseases, Jerry attained many successes. He graduated from Rice University in 2000 with a degrees in Business Management Studies & Sports Management. He worked for a few years until he and a friend established their own successful contracting & landscaping business in 2007. It was then that Jerry discovered that he wanted more meaning in what he did, so he made the decision to go back to school in 2010. In May of 2014, Jerry graduated with his BSN in Nursing and began his new career as an ICU nurse, helping others battle their illnesses, all while battling his own.
After all the illnesses, the loss of his dad, his mom's cancer, and his three university degrees, Jerry was finally where he wanted to be in his life. It was at that time that he met & started dating a wonderful young lady named Carmen (she has not left his side). But now Jerry is facing the greatest challenge of his life. He will fight this battle with chemotherapy in Austin, Texas near his home. His family, his adorable 11-year-old daughter Chloe, girlfriend Carmen, friends, extended family (he is loved by all of his co-workers), and acquaintances are here to support him every step of the way. With their support and your help, Jerry can overcome this. Every dollar will help cover costs and treatment. Jerry wants you to know that every dollar given that he doesn't need will be given to other cancer patients fighting their battles. Even in his greatest time of need, he is looking out for others.
Jerry has always felt he should share his story, one that he hopes will help encourage others to live a life of fulfillment and love. I asked Jerry to let me share his story, and after much debate he agreed to let me give you a glimpse of his incredible life. If you can't give to his fund, perhaps you can pass Jerry's story along to others. Take with you a thought of hope, knowing that the human spirit is alive and well, as shown by Jerry.
At the time of his diagnosis, Jerry worked two jobs to make ends meet. He is currently on leave from both jobs and has no income at this time. However, this life changing event would be costly even if he were able to continue working. With the support of his family, friends, coworkers, and YOU, he will have the best fighting chance to survive.
The background on this young man is amazing, to say the least! This is approximately the eighth time (give or take one or two) Jerry has battled with serious medical problems. He was first diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) when he was 16 years old and playing high school baseball. UC is a chronic disease that causes ulcers on the inner lining of the large intestine. It is painful and disruptive, but did not prevent Jerry from going on to play baseball at Rice University alongside Lance Berkman (Houston Astros). He silently battled the pain & problems that accompany UC when, at the age of 24, Jerry was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a chronic disease that slowly damages the bile ducts. At age 27, his UC became so bad he had to have a total colectomy along with ileostomy until the small bowel could be reconnected.
Other problems continued to plague Jerry the following year. He was diagnosed with Graves Disease and alopecia, experiencing total body hair loss in one month. In 2007, his mother Marian was diagnosed with lymphoma. Eight months later, he was forced to say goodbye to his dad, Eric, who had a massive heart attack and died at the age of 49.
In 2010, Jerry was diagnosed with Fistulizing Crohn's Disease. However, Jerry enjoyed a reprieve from health issues until December 2014, at which time he began experiencing severe abdominal pain. He was admitted into the hospital in January 2015 for two weeks. It was during this stay that he was given the devastating diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. Due to lymph node involvement, Jerry's cancer is considered stage IV.
Jerry's story is not one of illness, but one of triumph over illness. His mom, Marian, says he has never complained despite his medical problems. He has instead proven himself an inspiration. While battling these horrific diseases, Jerry attained many successes. He graduated from Rice University in 2000 with a degrees in Business Management Studies & Sports Management. He worked for a few years until he and a friend established their own successful contracting & landscaping business in 2007. It was then that Jerry discovered that he wanted more meaning in what he did, so he made the decision to go back to school in 2010. In May of 2014, Jerry graduated with his BSN in Nursing and began his new career as an ICU nurse, helping others battle their illnesses, all while battling his own.
After all the illnesses, the loss of his dad, his mom's cancer, and his three university degrees, Jerry was finally where he wanted to be in his life. It was at that time that he met & started dating a wonderful young lady named Carmen (she has not left his side). But now Jerry is facing the greatest challenge of his life. He will fight this battle with chemotherapy in Austin, Texas near his home. His family, his adorable 11-year-old daughter Chloe, girlfriend Carmen, friends, extended family (he is loved by all of his co-workers), and acquaintances are here to support him every step of the way. With their support and your help, Jerry can overcome this. Every dollar will help cover costs and treatment. Jerry wants you to know that every dollar given that he doesn't need will be given to other cancer patients fighting their battles. Even in his greatest time of need, he is looking out for others.
Jerry has always felt he should share his story, one that he hopes will help encourage others to live a life of fulfillment and love. I asked Jerry to let me share his story, and after much debate he agreed to let me give you a glimpse of his incredible life. If you can't give to his fund, perhaps you can pass Jerry's story along to others. Take with you a thought of hope, knowing that the human spirit is alive and well, as shown by Jerry.
Organizer
Kimberly Sorensen
Organizer
Round Rock, TX
