Earlier this month, our world was turned upside down when we found out that Jared has cancer. What we thought was a persistent sinus infection turned out to be a malignant tumor the size of a lime growing in his sinuses near his brain and carotid artery. So far, it does not appear it has spread to the brain or anywhere else in the body. The tumor was causing him a lot of pain, as it was pressing on a vital nerve. Fortunately now his pain is being managed through Brown Cancer Center and he will be starting treatments ASAP, likely next week.

His care team is floored how someone his age even has this cancer, but they have been very optimistic about this being treatable and even curable. The current plan is to shrink the tumor with chemotherapy and radiation to a more manageable level and then surgically remove it via a complicated procedure involving an ENT surgeon, neurosurgeon, and neuro-ophthalmologist.

As you can imagine, an extremely rare form of sinus cancer in our 30's was just not on our bingo card, especially after Jared just lost his mother last year. He has already had to cancel appointments to receive care, will need to be off work to recover from the surgery, and is beginning to receive bills for our multiple ER/hospital and specialist visits.

In true Jared fashion, even at the most challenging and scariest time of his life, he still manages to find opportunities to land a punchline, even catching his doctors off guard. He is determined to face cancer head-on, but will need our support.

Anyone who knows Jared also knows how thoughtful, selfless, and caring he is. In his greatest time of need, please consider donating and/or sharing if you are able. Given the long road ahead, we ask that you also keep him in your thoughts and to feel encouraged to reach out to him with messages of love and support. Any and all funds will be used expressly for bills for Jared. Thank you.

-Tyler Thacker