Help a Dying Daddy be with his Preemie
Donation protected
Pamela Fuquay is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of her brother-in-law Jeffrey Baker, his wife Melissa, and their toddler Savannah Hope.
Jeff Baker's role, as the father of a preemie and a teacher, has touched many lives. Now his family is looking for a miracle to save his life. Can you help?
47 year old Jeff Baker is the science teacher your kids might come home talking about. His students love his imaginative explanations and quirky scientific attitude. Jeff has been teaching in his Northern California community of Tracy for much of his adult life. However, as a child, his future was threatened as he battled childhood lymphoma. After three grueling years, Jeff was able to get an autologous bone marrow transplant that put him into remission and successfully cured his cancer. Jeff became a success story, going on to enthusiastically work with beakers, bugs, and barometers in the classroom.
In part because of Jeff's childhood cancer, Jeff and his wife Melissa struggled with infertility for many years. After five years of treatment, they were finally blessed with a baby girl, Savannah Hope, in the fall of 2017. However, Savannah was born two months premature, weighing less than three pounds at birth. The family spent two months in the NICU before Savannah could finally be brought into their loving home.
On June 17, 2019, when Savannah was less than two years old, Jeff was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer). He underwent chemotherapy, which resulted in numerous complications. These devastating setbacks included four hospital admissions (one in the ICU), plural effusions, and a pericardial effusion.
The chemotherapy nearly took Jeff's life, and yet, it was unsuccessful in killing his cancer.
Jeff's wife Melissa looked to numerous hospitals in the country for help. Finally, Jeff and Melissa discovered an advanced Cholangiocarcinoma program at Houston Methodist, and after many tests and a year of perseverance, Jeff has been accepted into their liver transplant program.
His acceptance into their program is a miracle in itself, as nearly all patients with Cholangiocarcinoma cannot satisfy their requirements to be stable for 6 months, post chemotherapy.
The director of the transplant program in Houston has told us he is extremely eager to perform this transplant on Jeff, especially as he has a toddler and is only 47 years old.
Jeff has been asked to move to Houston ASAP, to be in close proximity to the hospital when a liver becomes available. Due to Covid-19 restrictions on renting their home, Jeff & Melissa will be required to take on an additional $3000/mo for an apartment in Houston. They are both on reduced incomes as they support his care.
My brother-in-law has been given a chance at life again. Nothing would bring him more joy than the opportunity to watch his little miracle baby grow up.
Please help in any way you can.
What will donations cover?
- $3000/mo for rent near Houston Methodist Hospital, as Jeff awaits a transplant. This covers a short term, furnished house for the family, including all utilities. Estimated time in Houston is 6-12 months.
- Utilities and other rental expenses
- Upon successful transplant, a home health care nurse
Jeff Baker's role, as the father of a preemie and a teacher, has touched many lives. Now his family is looking for a miracle to save his life. Can you help?
47 year old Jeff Baker is the science teacher your kids might come home talking about. His students love his imaginative explanations and quirky scientific attitude. Jeff has been teaching in his Northern California community of Tracy for much of his adult life. However, as a child, his future was threatened as he battled childhood lymphoma. After three grueling years, Jeff was able to get an autologous bone marrow transplant that put him into remission and successfully cured his cancer. Jeff became a success story, going on to enthusiastically work with beakers, bugs, and barometers in the classroom.
In part because of Jeff's childhood cancer, Jeff and his wife Melissa struggled with infertility for many years. After five years of treatment, they were finally blessed with a baby girl, Savannah Hope, in the fall of 2017. However, Savannah was born two months premature, weighing less than three pounds at birth. The family spent two months in the NICU before Savannah could finally be brought into their loving home.
On June 17, 2019, when Savannah was less than two years old, Jeff was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer). He underwent chemotherapy, which resulted in numerous complications. These devastating setbacks included four hospital admissions (one in the ICU), plural effusions, and a pericardial effusion.
The chemotherapy nearly took Jeff's life, and yet, it was unsuccessful in killing his cancer.
Jeff's wife Melissa looked to numerous hospitals in the country for help. Finally, Jeff and Melissa discovered an advanced Cholangiocarcinoma program at Houston Methodist, and after many tests and a year of perseverance, Jeff has been accepted into their liver transplant program.
His acceptance into their program is a miracle in itself, as nearly all patients with Cholangiocarcinoma cannot satisfy their requirements to be stable for 6 months, post chemotherapy.
The director of the transplant program in Houston has told us he is extremely eager to perform this transplant on Jeff, especially as he has a toddler and is only 47 years old.
Jeff has been asked to move to Houston ASAP, to be in close proximity to the hospital when a liver becomes available. Due to Covid-19 restrictions on renting their home, Jeff & Melissa will be required to take on an additional $3000/mo for an apartment in Houston. They are both on reduced incomes as they support his care.
My brother-in-law has been given a chance at life again. Nothing would bring him more joy than the opportunity to watch his little miracle baby grow up.
Please help in any way you can.
What will donations cover?
- $3000/mo for rent near Houston Methodist Hospital, as Jeff awaits a transplant. This covers a short term, furnished house for the family, including all utilities. Estimated time in Houston is 6-12 months.
- Utilities and other rental expenses
- Upon successful transplant, a home health care nurse
Organizer
Pamela Fuquay
Organizer
Irvine, CA