Celebrating The Life of Jarred
It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of Jarred Paluzzi, loving son, brother, boyfriend, dog dad, and friend. 
Jarred's story began at age 2 ½ when he was diagnosed with stage 4 hepatoblastoma (a very rare cancerous tumor that starts in the liver). The doctors gave him a less than 5% chance of survival but after 3 hospitals, each in a different state, 70% resection of his liver, autologous bone marrow transplant, 5 thoracotomies, full lung radiation and a lobectomy, he was cured. Jarred overcame all obstacles both physically and emotionally. He lived his life with high energy, and the determination to never let the past dictate the future. He was told he would never play sports as he would not have endurance due to his lung function. Defying doctors, his mom put him in soccer at age 7 and later played state cup at Seminole Soccer and was also on the Lake Mary High School team. Amazingly enough, he was a forward. Following college, he became a soccer coach for the Little Lions. Jarred exceeded every expectation of any doctor that met him. 
At age 18, just after high school graduation, Jarred was diagnosed with ALL leukemia. Determined to go to college, he took online classes while undergoing intensive chemotherapy and still maintained his Bright Futures Scholarship. With some bumps in the road, after 3 years of treatment and 2 years cancer free, he was finally able to physically attend college. He spent a week at Boggy Creek Kids Camp as a counselor for children with cancer, remembering the days of what he had gone through. Unbeknown to him Jarred had relapsed leukemia and was diagnosed shortly after coming home.
It was a very difficult time, once again Jarred had to endure another grueling round of chemotherapy. This time at Shands Hospital in Gainesville with intentions to undergo a donated bone marrow transplant. Jarred became very ill with sepsis but overcame and achieved remission but there was no bone marrow donor to be found. Through all of this Jarred continued to take classes in college and lived life to the fullest awaiting a new immunotherapy called CAR-T cell therapy in Philadelphia. He continued to work as a waiter and had taken up photography due to the nature of his disease and not being able to be physically active. Jarred always had a positive attitude and continued to move forward. By June of 2015, he traveled to Philly and started the CAR-T cell trial. After 6 weeks he achieved remission and finally was able to go back to his life only to relapse again one year later, right after college graduation. 
But when one door shuts another door opens, another trail had become available in Philly. He achieved remission but relapsed again in 6 months. He then went to the NIH in Maryland with no avail he came back home. With the efforts of his local doctor in Orlando, Doctor Imam, a new trial was created solely for Jarred with a new drug that was not FDA approved but received on a compassionate care basis. He achieved remission once again. During this time he developed his love for photography and began his business shooting concerts and weddings. He was quoted as saying - "I love being a part of the happiest times of people’s lives because it makes me forget about cancer and the darkest times of my life”. With hopes of a future, he had a girlfriend and adopted two dogs. Finally, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. 
Unfortunately, life threw Jarred another curveball, and he would relapse one last time and but this time it would take his life. Through all of the hardship that Jarred faced with his illness, he never allowed it to slow down his thirst for life and adventure. The months leading up to his last relapse was spent celebrating his brother's wedding as the best man, shooting a music festival with Rolling Loud, being published in Billboard Magazine, shooting memories that will last a lifetime and spending time with his mother, family, girlfriend, and dogs. 
Jarred published a story in Orlando Life Magazine called "Little Big Man" and shared his tragedies in a blog called Undeniable Truth . He inspired so many with his triumphs and losses and impressed the world with his photography. He had a passion for all animals and dreamed of rescuing every dog in need. Let's continue that passion for Jarred and donate to a fund for a pet rescue in Jarred's name which will honor his life.
To celebrate Jarred the best way we know how we will be putting every penny towards expanding the facilities at a local dog rescue in Jarred's honor. Jarred like the rest of his family had an unending love for dogs. The running family joke was that the Paluzzi's would buy a farm for all the rescue animals they adopt. Debra Paluzzi (Jarred's mom) will be in charge of all final expenses and will work with a local rescue to ensure that Jarred's memory lives on through the lives of all the animals that are saved. 
Jarred will be laid to rest on Sunday with the remains of his childhood rescues, Chocko, Tanner, Ben, Hershey, and Carmel.
Graveside Service
Sunday, July 15 at 10:00am
Oaklawn Park Cemetery
5000 County Road 46A
Sanford, FL 32771
There will be a celebration of life the following week, more details to come.