Final Update: Thank You for Walking This Road With Me

Hello everyone,

I want to take a moment to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to each of you who has stood by me during this season. Your prayers, donations, and words of encouragement have carried me through one of the hardest times of my life.

I’m happy to share that I am feeling stronger each day and plan to start looking for light work within the next couple of weeks. I’m also working on being cleared to drive again very soon — another huge step toward getting back on my feet.

While my health is improving, the reality is that my bills and daily needs haven’t stopped. Donations have slowed down, and I’m still facing some gaps until I’m fully back to work and stable again. If you feel led, please consider sharing this page one more time or giving if you’re able. Every bit helps and means so much to me and my family.

Your support has been a lifeline — I truly couldn’t have come this far without you. Thank you for helping me heal and giving me hope for what’s ahead.

With gratitude,

Jay Ward

Update #4– The Road Ahead Still Isn’t Easy

First, I want to say thank you again to everyone who has reached out, prayed, donated, or simply checked in. It’s been a blessing to reconnect with so many of you, even in the middle of such a difficult season. Your generosity—through your time, prayers, and financial support—has carried me through more than you know.

That said, I want to be honest about where things stand right now.

Though I'm recovering steadily from my surgery, I’ve just been told I won’t be able to work or drive for at least four more weeks. That’s tough news. As a single dad, the pressure to provide never really goes away—and the bills are starting to pile up.

I’ve started looking for work I can transition into once I’m cleared, but for now, I’m still grounded. I can’t drive, I can’t earn, and I still have medical expenses and basic living costs that need to be covered.

This journey has been long, and it’s not over yet. If you’re able to give—or even just share this page again—it would be such a help during this critical stretch. Every donation makes a real difference and helps lift some of the weight off my shoulders so I can focus on healing and caring for my son.

Thank you for standing with us. Your support is truly a gift.

With gratitude,

Big Jay

Update #3 – God Is Good!

First, let me say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’ve been overwhelmed by the love and support pouring in from family, friends, and even complete strangers. Whether you gave a donation, sent a message, lifted a prayer, or just thought about me—you’ve made a difference.

I’ve never seen a man walk on water or a blind man see, but I have seen the miracles of Jesus through the kindness of people like you. Don’t ever try to tell me God isn’t real—I’ve seen Him work through His people.

Donations Are Still Needed

While I’m making progress, this journey is far from over. Donations are still very much needed as I continue recovering and facing the ongoing costs of daily living and medical care. As a single dad unable to work right now, every bit of support helps ease the weight of this season. If you're able to give—or even share—please know it means the world to me and my son.

How Your Donations Are Helping

Many have asked how the funds are being used. Your donations are helping cover:

This support has allowed me to focus on healing instead of stressing over bills. As a single dad, that peace of mind is a gift I can't thank you enough for.

Surgery Update

On May 5, 2025, I had major heart surgery—an Aortic Root Replacement with a tissue valve. It was a high-risk procedure, especially given my condition going in.

But praise God—the surgery was a huge success! The doctors were amazed at how well I came through. I told them, “That’s what happens when hundreds—maybe even over a thousand—people are praying for you.”

God truly showed up. I am scheduled to see my surgeon on May 28 to have all my stitches removed.

Where I Am Now

Each day since surgery, I’m getting a little stronger. I'm adding 100 steps per day to my walking routine and currently averaging over 2,100 steps a day.

Even after losing over 60 pounds of fluid, I’m still working hard to get my overall weight down. So far, I’ve lost a total of 80 pounds!

I’m following a strict diet with no more than 1,500mg of sodium per day—which is less than a teaspoon of salt! I’m learning to eat healthier and stick to this new lifestyle. It’s not easy, but it’s working.

My Journey So Far

It all began in June of last year, when I noticed swelling and fluid retention. Over time, I gained weight rapidly, struggled to breathe, and had serious mobility issues. Despite it all, I kept driving for Uber and Lyft to support my son and myself.

By March 2025, things took a turn. I gained 50 more pounds, and my son Weatherby finally had to take me to the ER. That’s when doctors diagnosed me with Congestive Heart Failure and discovered I had over 50 pounds of fluid in my body. A CT scan later revealed my Aortic Root had enlarged to 6 cm—the same issue I had surgery for in 2009, but this time it was worse.

I had no choice but to undergo life-saving surgery, and now I’m focused fully on recovery, being a present father, and walking the path God has laid before me.

Thank you for standing with me through this storm. Your support, your love, and your prayers are helping me heal. And with God’s help—I’m not just surviving, I’m fighting to thrive.

Stay tuned for more updates—and may God bless you as richly as you’ve blessed me.

Blessings and love to all,

Jay

Update #2 from Jay – Thank You & Surgery Plans

First and foremost again, I want to sincerely thank everyone who has donated, prayed, and reached out with words of encouragement via text, phone, email, or Facebook. Your support means the world to me.

Three months of bills with no income and about a $10k copay on my surgery comes to just over $23K. Can you believe that with Gofundme and direct to me anonymous donations over $10k has been raised! Wow! Thanks you so much!

My surgery is scheduled for May 1, 2025. I will check in on April 28 and do some final testing and proceed with surgery on the 1st. My sister Jenny Primm is flying in to be with me before the surgery and to be with my kids during the surgery.

I lean on John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” God has got this surgery. I refuse to worry and let my heart be troubled. I trust God and will forever praise His name.

Blessings to all,

Jay

First and foremost, I want to sincerely thank everyone who has donated, prayed, and reached out with words of encouragement via text, phone, email, or Facebook. Your support means the world to me! Please continue to share my story. My story is below this update.

Now for an update on my surgery and current condition:

I am HOME! It feels so good to sleep in my own bed and be surrounded by family while I wait for surgery. However, I recently found out that my surgeon is not covered under my insurance. I’ve since modified my insurance plan, and I’ll be able to schedule my surgery after meeting with the surgeon next week. The recovery time from the surgery will 8-10 weeks.

Since my hospital stay, my daily routine has changed significantly—for the better. I am now on a strict diet, limited to 2,000mg of sodium and 2 liters of liquid per day—permanently. Adjusting to this new way of eating has been a challenge, but it’s slowly becoming second nature. After surgery, exercise will also become part of my routine. For now, I’m not allowed to do anything strenuous. Additionally, I have 9 new prescriptions. Finally, I cut my hair short just to make day-to-day easier.

Mentally, I’m doing my best to stay positive, but some days are harder than others. Thankfully, God always sends the right message or phone call at just the right time to lift my spirits. No matter what happens, I stand firm in my faith—"It is well with my soul!"

Thank you all again for your love and support. I’ll keep you updated as things progress.

God bless,
Jay

Hello, my name is Jay Ward, and I find myself reaching out during one of the most challenging times of my life. I am raising money to cover household and medical expenses due to an upcoming open-heart surgery. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to work for at least two, maybe three months, and I need help covering day-to-day expenses, as well as my portion of the insurance deductible.

Let me share a little about my journey. I divorced in 2017 and, unfortunately, never received any child support. Things were financially stable in the beginning, but after I retired/resigned from The Salvation Army in 2018, life began to get harder and harder. In an attempt to make ends meet, I taught middle school for one year, but it wasn’t enough to keep things afloat. So, I turned to contract driving through Uber and Lyft. The money was better, but I had to work long hours just to survive. The doctors have told me that I will no longer be able to drive for a living due to the possibility of blood clots

Like so many others, I’ve been living paycheck to paycheck—always trying to get by but never able to get ahead. Now, with the surgery looming, I find myself facing an unexpected and overwhelming challenge. I’m asking for your support during this desperate time.

About My Condition

In June of last year, I began to notice fluid retention. For about five months, I was treated with Lasix, but in December, I gained 30 pounds. The dosage was increased, and while some of the weight came off, not all of it did. By March 2025, my weight had jumped by 50 pounds. Despite this, I continued to drive for Uber and Lyft, struggling to make ends meet, even as I experienced difficulty breathing and had mobility issues. My son, Weatherby, eventually took me to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure.

The doctors told me I had more than 50 pounds of backed-up fluid in my system. I was admitted to the hospital immediately, where I am still recovering. During my stay, a CT scan revealed that my Aortic Root has enlarged to 6cm. I had surgery to repair this same issue back in 2009, but it has unfortunately recurred. The doctors explained that this condition is hereditary. While the previous surgery successfully repaired the enlarged root, I now need a more extensive procedure: an Aortic Root Replacement with a plastic valve.

The road ahead is uncertain, but I’m determined to focus on my recovery without the added stress of financial burden. That’s why I’m reaching out for help.

I'm a single dad to a 16-year-old son who, despite all he’s been through, is thriving both academically and socially.

Any contribution, $1, $5, $25 or more, will make a significant difference and bring me one step closer to being able to cover my expenses and focus on my recovery without the constant worry of financial strain.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness, support, and generosity.

Sincerely,

Jay Ward