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Please help contribute to the recovery fund for Jacob Markham and his family after an emergency brain surgery to remove a tumor.
About the Surgery:
After a month of headaches and vision problems, Jacob received an MRI which revealed a large mass pressing against his pituitary gland and optic nerve. Craniopharyngioma an extremely rare slow growing tumor was taking up residence in young Jake's brain, for how long, no one knows. Jacob's parents, Christy and Ben Markham, were given a few choices, but ultimately surgery, to remove the tumor, would need to be done almost immediately. On December 3rd, Jacob went into surgery for nearly 6 hours. The doctors were able to remove most of the mass and Jacob survived the initial surgery. His parents in shock after receiving the news of the tumor, were unprepared for the recovery after the surgery, which has since left them missing the presence of their gregarious child. Jacob, is recovering slowly, and at least in the interim, his short term memory and peripheral vision has been affected. Time will tell the lasting effects of this life altering event.
About Jake and his family:
Jake is a kind and generous boy, who has traits that at times set him apart from his 14 year old peers.
Jake is a freshman in high school and is interested in music and computers. He plays the cello and baritone. He would like to learn the guitar. He enjoys Dungeons and Dragons, and has organized remote events for him and his friends to keep playing over the pandemic. Jake is an active member of his church's youth group. Despite having an unknown brain tumor, Jake is an excellent student. He works hard and does what he can to be successful, even taking summer classes to get ahead. He loves learning, and is often listening to the podcast RadioLab. This summer, Jake was scheduled to go to New York and Washington DC as a part of his 8th grade class. Unfortunately due to the pandemic, he was unable to go. As a fan of the NY Yankees and US history, he was exceptionally disappointed to miss the opportunity.
Jake has spent a lot of time caring and thinking for others. In 2018, he was awarded the Idaho Youth Philanthropist of the Year. He has spent many winter break days singing carols and ringing the bell for Salvation Army raising money for people in his community. This year, he won't be able to, but he has asked that his buddies go in his stead. They have agreed. When it snows, he shovels the driveway for his neighbor who is going through cancer treatments, and genuinely cares about their well being. Jake loves animals, so over the hot summer months, he raised money for the local Humane Society by selling cold drinks. Jake often cares for his 8 year old sister Ellie, and though they have a gap in age, he welcomes her into his world, playing games and enjoying the lake in the summer.
Benevolence is in his family. Christy, Jacob's mom has devoted her life to raising money for others. She is a long time philanthropist working tirelessly for the Salvation Army and her community. Christy organizes events that raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many times putting others first, Christy is hard-working, humble, and compassionate. Ben, Jake's Dad, is a school teacher spending many years teaching underprivileged kids, and creating opportunities for learning and growth through a robotics program. Ben spent several years working with family's at the the Salvation Army Sally's house.
Giving is a part of who the Markham's are and now they need your help. The cost of Jacob's surgery and after treatments is still unknown, but Jake has now spent over a week in the hospital. While the Markham's have insurance, there will remain many out of pocket and ongoing costs. Many follow up trips to the doctor and dwindling sick days are in the future for Jake and his family.
For a family that has given so much, we would ask for your support. We respect that many of you have struggled this year, but if you have something to give, please do.
Jake needs a win. Help Jake and his family by giving what you can, and if it can't be monetary please send your well wishes and prayers. Thank you for reading.
About the Surgery:
After a month of headaches and vision problems, Jacob received an MRI which revealed a large mass pressing against his pituitary gland and optic nerve. Craniopharyngioma an extremely rare slow growing tumor was taking up residence in young Jake's brain, for how long, no one knows. Jacob's parents, Christy and Ben Markham, were given a few choices, but ultimately surgery, to remove the tumor, would need to be done almost immediately. On December 3rd, Jacob went into surgery for nearly 6 hours. The doctors were able to remove most of the mass and Jacob survived the initial surgery. His parents in shock after receiving the news of the tumor, were unprepared for the recovery after the surgery, which has since left them missing the presence of their gregarious child. Jacob, is recovering slowly, and at least in the interim, his short term memory and peripheral vision has been affected. Time will tell the lasting effects of this life altering event.
About Jake and his family:
Jake is a kind and generous boy, who has traits that at times set him apart from his 14 year old peers.
Jake is a freshman in high school and is interested in music and computers. He plays the cello and baritone. He would like to learn the guitar. He enjoys Dungeons and Dragons, and has organized remote events for him and his friends to keep playing over the pandemic. Jake is an active member of his church's youth group. Despite having an unknown brain tumor, Jake is an excellent student. He works hard and does what he can to be successful, even taking summer classes to get ahead. He loves learning, and is often listening to the podcast RadioLab. This summer, Jake was scheduled to go to New York and Washington DC as a part of his 8th grade class. Unfortunately due to the pandemic, he was unable to go. As a fan of the NY Yankees and US history, he was exceptionally disappointed to miss the opportunity.
Jake has spent a lot of time caring and thinking for others. In 2018, he was awarded the Idaho Youth Philanthropist of the Year. He has spent many winter break days singing carols and ringing the bell for Salvation Army raising money for people in his community. This year, he won't be able to, but he has asked that his buddies go in his stead. They have agreed. When it snows, he shovels the driveway for his neighbor who is going through cancer treatments, and genuinely cares about their well being. Jake loves animals, so over the hot summer months, he raised money for the local Humane Society by selling cold drinks. Jake often cares for his 8 year old sister Ellie, and though they have a gap in age, he welcomes her into his world, playing games and enjoying the lake in the summer.
Benevolence is in his family. Christy, Jacob's mom has devoted her life to raising money for others. She is a long time philanthropist working tirelessly for the Salvation Army and her community. Christy organizes events that raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many times putting others first, Christy is hard-working, humble, and compassionate. Ben, Jake's Dad, is a school teacher spending many years teaching underprivileged kids, and creating opportunities for learning and growth through a robotics program. Ben spent several years working with family's at the the Salvation Army Sally's house.
Giving is a part of who the Markham's are and now they need your help. The cost of Jacob's surgery and after treatments is still unknown, but Jake has now spent over a week in the hospital. While the Markham's have insurance, there will remain many out of pocket and ongoing costs. Many follow up trips to the doctor and dwindling sick days are in the future for Jake and his family.
For a family that has given so much, we would ask for your support. We respect that many of you have struggled this year, but if you have something to give, please do.
Jake needs a win. Help Jake and his family by giving what you can, and if it can't be monetary please send your well wishes and prayers. Thank you for reading.
Organizer and beneficiary
Benton Markham
Beneficiary