Father of 3 battling Leukemia

This GoFundMe account is on behalf of Jason Parker and his family: For this family, fighting leukemia isn't the only battle to be fought. The Parkers- a loving family of five have always found a way to get by, even as a young couple starting out. Jason had a plan... Unfortunately, it's a heartbreaking reality that sometimes things don't go as planned.

Jason Parker met his wife of 17 years at the tender age of nine, he knew even then that he would marry her! The childhood sweethearts were married right after high school and had two beautiful daughters, Annmarie and Sydney. In March of 2001 with two babies at home and a young wife, Jason enlisted in the Army like his Father before him. He has since spent his life serving and protecting others. First, in the ARMY, Jason was a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division until an injury that forced him back into civilian life. Then still longing to serve, Jason went on to work for the Police Department but after multiple injuries and surgeries, he was forced to retire after nearly ten years on the job. Shortly after this, the family welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world, Charlie. Determined now more than ever, to provide for his family and follow his passion, Jason went back to school to pursue his love of flying. He became a helicopter pilot. He worked hard to obtain his license and worked as an instructor to attain the required flight hours for the job he had his heart set on. While waiting on the call (he would have to turn down) that would advance his new career, Jason received the most devastating news.

A severe and mysterious pain had developed in his leg, so he went into the Veterans Hospital in Phoenix to get it checked out. After being in the Army and Police Force Jason was pretty accustomed to these type of sudden ailments. The family hoped it was nothing, but they were concerned for Jason who normally had a very high tolerance for pain. The staff that night at the VA were unable to diagnose his pain, they sent Jason home to “walk it off”. Only the pain never subsided, it began to increase and spread up his back. That's when he and his wife decided to go elsewhere, even though the only insurance they had was through the VA. After a look at his blood work, the good doctor at PIMC urged them to go to a cancer center. However, finding one to accept him without insurance soon proved to be a huge obstacle! Finally, the VA arranged for Jason to be transferred to Banner Gateway in Gilbert, where a bone marrow test quickly confirmed what the doctor at the other hospital suspected. Jason has Leukemia- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)  

The staff at Banner have been amazing and Jason started his first treatment of Chemo January 21st. While Jason is trying to stay positive and hopeful,l he is devastated that he has to be away from his family. Especially his young son who is unable to visit him during his Chemo treatment at the hospital, which he is expected to undergo (every three weeks) for the next 2- 3 years. This family has been thrown into complete and utter disarray; with a senior in high school, a freshman in college and a four-year-old at home, trying to find a way to keep this close-knit family together while staying on track with school, chemo, tuition and the bills seems daunting in many ways. However, the family is doing everything they can to remain hopeful and keep faith in God’s infinite wisdom.


At their hour of need, on behalf of this amazing loving family, we ask that you bless this family with any type of support and love you have to spare.

Please send your prayers and/or even the smallest donation to help support this family through this extremely tough time in the many months ahead.


For other ways to help: Many leukemia patients are in need of blood and bone marrow donors. To see if you could be the match visit bethematch.com