Supporting Jack: His Brain Tumor Journey

UPDATE: July 14th, 2025

Hi everyone, this is Tess and Nathan. We’re updating this fundraiser so we can share Jack’s story directly and keep you updated along the way. We’re SO grateful to Blair for starting this page and to everyone who’s already shown us incredible love and support.

>>> Jack's Story:

A little over a week ago, we learned our son Jack has a rare brain tumor.

It started with concerns about his development. Jack wasn’t walking at 12, 14, 18 months—all the way to his 2nd birthday. Around 9–12 months, his head began to measure above the 99th percentile. We began asking questions, but we were told he simply had a large head. At his 2-year checkup, our pediatrician recommended we see a neurologist because of the combination of delayed walking and his large head size. Neurology then wanted to investigate further with an MRI.

That MRI confirmed the excess fluid doctors suspected—but then came the devastating news: the cause was a brain tumor.

We were shocked, scared, and overwhelmed. The next day, we met with a neurosurgeon who gave us hope. Based on the MRI and their expertise, they believe they can remove the tumor with a single surgery. That surgery will take place in Cincinnati on July 17th. This surgery, along with the official pathology results of the tumor, will dictate how the rest of Jack’s journey goes.

While we’re thankful for this plan, it comes with anxiety and a financial burden: medical costs, travel, time off work, and the possibility of unexpected expenses.

>>> Why we updated the goal:

When our friend first launched this fundraiser, the goal was set quickly during a moment of urgency and love. Now that we’ve assessed everything, we’ve updated the goal accordingly.

Our current goal reflects what we know now. If we go beyond it, any additional support will help with follow-up care, therapies, and anything unexpected that comes our way.

We cannot thank you enough for standing with Jack and our family. Whether you donate, share, or send prayers, every bit of support means the world.

____

ORIGINAL POST July 9th:

We’re reaching out to support our dear colleague and friend, Tess Stout, a circulating nurse at UK who has cared for countless patients with compassion and strength. Now, she and her family are facing an unimaginable challenge. Her two-year-old son, Jack, has been diagnosed with a rare brain tumor and is in urgent need of surgery. As you can imagine, this journey comes with overwhelming emotional and financial burdens. We are rallying together to help ease that load, so Tess can focus on what matters most — being there for her son. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference and be deeply appreciated.