From Grief to Grit: Help Me Complete My 200+ lb Weight Loss Journey

Hi, my name is Jonathon Sitarik, and I’m reaching out with both a full heart and a vulnerable one.

After years of struggling with my weight and self-worth, I made a promise to my brother — the one person who always believed in me. He used to tell me, “You can do this. You just have to put your mind to it.” When I lost him unexpectedly, his words echoed louder than ever, and I knew I had to prove him right.

Since then, I’ve lost over 200 pounds naturally — no surgery, no shortcuts, just sheer determination, discipline, lifestyle change, and the belief that I could honor his memory through this transformation. This journey has been one of grief, healing, and triumph. But now, I face a new challenge: the physical and emotional burden of excess skin.

This skin is a daily reminder of how far I’ve come, but it also prevents me from fully living the life I’ve worked so hard to reclaim. It causes pain, infections, and makes simple things like running, fitting into clothes, or even looking in the mirror a struggle. More than that, it’s holding me back from truly closing this chapter and starting a new one.

I’m asking for help to fund skin removal surgery so I can finally feel free in my own body. This isn’t about vanity — it’s about healing, confidence, and reclaiming my life fully.

Every donation — big or small — brings me one step closer to the finish line of a journey that began in grief but is ending in hope. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt or fought to rise after a fall, I hope my story resonates with you. And if you can’t donate, sharing this means the world too.

Thank you for believing in me, just like my brother did.

With gratitude,

Jonathon Sitarik