Love & Support for Jonathan
Donation protected
My name is Maya and I am Jonathan's second cousin. When I was 15 years old, my mom and step-father had hit a tough spot in their marriage and my mom sent me to live with my cousin Victoria (Jonathan's mom)in Bellingham, Washington. My cousin Victoria was a wife, mother and college student obtaining her master's degree at the time. Gabby, Victoria's husband was teaching and together, both of them welcomed me into their small apartment home with two young children and for a couple of months, I would live with them.
Fast-forward life 20 years and Jonathan is about the age his mom was when she took me in.
The Mayers are that family that shows up, no questions asked. Whether they fly to visit me in NY or drive across town to meet me at our Auntie's house. You can always count them in.
When I had hit a dark moment in my life when RJ (my son) was very young, Victoria came to my rescue and walked in a park with me for hours in the winter to just chat with me. Victoria is that cousin that has always cheered me on - to finish college, to be patient with my son, to know that 'this too shall pass'. Her strength is admirable.
A couple summer's ago I went to visit family and while RJ (my son) was being a pest to everyone, it was Jonathan that was amazingly calm and cool with RJ. RJ layed his feet across Jonathan's legs as they played cards and Jonathan assured me, it was okay. Victoria acknowledged and reminded me that boys are wild and that it was normal and to not worry. That's who they are. Jonthan is the twenty-something year old kid that's running a marathon with his mom, donating his time to help clean-up their synagogue, playing with the children and always... always... smiling.
So while I have shared a few moments in my life where The Mayers have been there for me; I want to try my best to show up for them.
Life as we know it, can sometimes throw us a curve ball when we least expect it. Life has thrown Jonathan a curve ball and a fast-pitched one at that.
In February 2016, Jonathan felt an ache above his teeth on his right side; so he thought perhaps he had trouble in the roots of his teeth. Went to the dentist who declared he had a sinus infection.
He then went to his primary Dr who gave him a subscription for sinus infections. However, on March 9th, two weeks later, Jon had a small bump the size of a marble on the back of his skull on the right side. Dr. tried to drain it and nothing would drain so he was referred to a specialist to see if it was an infection. But another visit to the Dr. on March 30th showed that he had a tumor and the tumor had grown to the size of a soft ball which caused them to order a cat scan which revealed on March 31st that Jon had also a tumor on the inside of his skull and it was growing at the rate of the outside one.
Jonathan's family were in shock as they never thought of one being on the inside of the skull. April 6th they went to meet with the brain surgeon who revealed to them that there was more cancer inside the body. Also growing at the same rate as the tumor in his head.
They successfully removed the tumors from his skull. Took out the infected skull bone and replaced it with a permanent plastic like structure to cover the brain. His skull looks perfect and after the scar heals should not be too noticeable. He is healing from that operation and they are impressed to witness him walking out of the hospital less than 24 hours after brain surgery.
Jonathan went to go see a specialist again on April 13th and had the staples removed April 14th. The tumors are being reviewed to determine the sort of cancer. Also Jon donated the tumors to science research so they could study the tumor as it is so rare.
Jon has been diagnosised with Ewing Sarcoma. An extremely rare form of cancer that generally develops in young children. For this form of disease he is an old patient. He will be treated in Children's Hospital starting Tuesday April 26. The family is hoping to get a place secured in Ronald McDonald housing.
In effort to help my family the way they helped me, I am asking for any financial help you may be able to provide. $1, $5, $10 - anything will help. I greatly appreciate your support. I remember a professor said to me that one never knows when they will need someone. This is so true. In a very dark time in my mom's life - they were there for her. In a dark time in my life - they have been there. While they pass through this storm - let's come together and share a little love that together can go a long way.
Fast-forward life 20 years and Jonathan is about the age his mom was when she took me in.
The Mayers are that family that shows up, no questions asked. Whether they fly to visit me in NY or drive across town to meet me at our Auntie's house. You can always count them in.
When I had hit a dark moment in my life when RJ (my son) was very young, Victoria came to my rescue and walked in a park with me for hours in the winter to just chat with me. Victoria is that cousin that has always cheered me on - to finish college, to be patient with my son, to know that 'this too shall pass'. Her strength is admirable.
A couple summer's ago I went to visit family and while RJ (my son) was being a pest to everyone, it was Jonathan that was amazingly calm and cool with RJ. RJ layed his feet across Jonathan's legs as they played cards and Jonathan assured me, it was okay. Victoria acknowledged and reminded me that boys are wild and that it was normal and to not worry. That's who they are. Jonthan is the twenty-something year old kid that's running a marathon with his mom, donating his time to help clean-up their synagogue, playing with the children and always... always... smiling.
So while I have shared a few moments in my life where The Mayers have been there for me; I want to try my best to show up for them.
Life as we know it, can sometimes throw us a curve ball when we least expect it. Life has thrown Jonathan a curve ball and a fast-pitched one at that.
In February 2016, Jonathan felt an ache above his teeth on his right side; so he thought perhaps he had trouble in the roots of his teeth. Went to the dentist who declared he had a sinus infection.
He then went to his primary Dr who gave him a subscription for sinus infections. However, on March 9th, two weeks later, Jon had a small bump the size of a marble on the back of his skull on the right side. Dr. tried to drain it and nothing would drain so he was referred to a specialist to see if it was an infection. But another visit to the Dr. on March 30th showed that he had a tumor and the tumor had grown to the size of a soft ball which caused them to order a cat scan which revealed on March 31st that Jon had also a tumor on the inside of his skull and it was growing at the rate of the outside one.
Jonathan's family were in shock as they never thought of one being on the inside of the skull. April 6th they went to meet with the brain surgeon who revealed to them that there was more cancer inside the body. Also growing at the same rate as the tumor in his head.
They successfully removed the tumors from his skull. Took out the infected skull bone and replaced it with a permanent plastic like structure to cover the brain. His skull looks perfect and after the scar heals should not be too noticeable. He is healing from that operation and they are impressed to witness him walking out of the hospital less than 24 hours after brain surgery.
Jonathan went to go see a specialist again on April 13th and had the staples removed April 14th. The tumors are being reviewed to determine the sort of cancer. Also Jon donated the tumors to science research so they could study the tumor as it is so rare.
Jon has been diagnosised with Ewing Sarcoma. An extremely rare form of cancer that generally develops in young children. For this form of disease he is an old patient. He will be treated in Children's Hospital starting Tuesday April 26. The family is hoping to get a place secured in Ronald McDonald housing.
In effort to help my family the way they helped me, I am asking for any financial help you may be able to provide. $1, $5, $10 - anything will help. I greatly appreciate your support. I remember a professor said to me that one never knows when they will need someone. This is so true. In a very dark time in my mom's life - they were there for her. In a dark time in my life - they have been there. While they pass through this storm - let's come together and share a little love that together can go a long way.
Organizer and beneficiary
Maya Liepa
Organizer
Bellingham, WA
Jonathan Mayer
Beneficiary