Hello friends,

Thank you for taking the time to consider this GoFundMe request for our son Jackson.

Many of you know Jackson and his wife Lydia- and that they love an adventure! After their wedding in 2023, they lived in St. Paul, and then embraced “van life” for a while. They then decided their next adventure would be in Thailand. Their plan is to spend a year (or more) working, studying and traveling. Lydia is able to work remotely at her job, and Jackson is taking classes to get his international teaching degree.

Before they left the U.S., they purchased international travelers health insurance. Thailand is known for its “medical tourism” and they both had physicals when they arrived in Bangkok.

Jackson had some swollen lymph nodes, so tests were done, along with a biopsy. He was diagnosed with thyroid cancer on January 17th. A treatment plan was created, and on February 1st he had surgery to remove his thyroid as well as numerous lymph nodes. The medical team, and the care he’s received, has been nothing short of amazing. We are so grateful! Although he has more treatments ahead, we are very optimistic that he will have a full recovery.

Unfortunately, the insurance company decided (the day before his surgery) that Jackson’s swollen lymph nodes were a preexisting condition. They declined to pay for his surgery or treatment and canceled his policy.

Jackson and Lydia are very strong, hard working, self-sufficient individuals. They do not want to ask for help. However, Rick and I have no problem taking on that challenge for them! Many people have already asked how they can help, and this seems like a logical next step. All donations will be used to help pay for his surgery, recovery and treatments.

Thank you so much for your kindness and support as we help Jackson and Lydia navigate this difficult and unexpected medical situation. Our whole family truly appreciates your kind words, thoughts, prayers and generosity! Feel free to share this with others who may know Jack and Lyd as well.

Take care,

Kim and Rick