Help Jeremy, a 24 year Military Vet, Fight Cancer

Our brother, Jeremy Smart, is fighting a battle no one should have to fight – the fight against Stage 4 Colon / Liver Cancer.

 

Jeremy is a father to four beautiful kids, a husband to Maryanne, a son, a brother, and a friend. He is a military veteran that served 24 years and completed two tours of duty in Iraq. He has spent his life in service to others. He continues to this day to mentor those he served alongside throughout active and reserve duty and with whom he has formed deep and lasting friendships.

 

About a month ago, Jeremy started experiencing bouts of stomach pain, and through a diagnostic colonoscopy, a large mass was found in his colon. Subsequent scans showed that it had also spread to his liver. He recently underwent a successful colectomy to remove the mass and part of his colon. It was not an easy surgery. Due to the mass' location and subsequent complications, the doctors could not use the laparoscopic technique. They had to go at it, in the doctor's words, " old school". He now has a nice scar from his sternum to his waistline as he recovers at home. The recovery has been difficult and is still ongoing, but he is working hard to regain his strength to begin the next step of his fight.

 

After surgery, Jeremy and Maryanne spoke with their oncologist and found out he will be going through chemotherapy treatments at MD Anderson in Houston and having additional surgeries on his liver to remove the cancer spots. This will all be followed up by further treatments of chemotherapy. The whole process is estimated to take the better part of a year.

 

As you can imagine, this has been devastating news for Jeremy, Maryanne, the kids, and our family. None of us know what the next year will hold, but we have a plan and are ready to stand beside our brother and fight.

 

We have started this GoFundMe account to ease the burden of this battle. Over the following days, weeks, months, and year ahead, there are many more tests, hospital stays, travel, hotel and living expenses at MD Anderson, and days missed from work for Maryanne and Jeremy.

 

He will be in the hospital for undetermined amounts of time. As you can imagine, the standard costs of everyday living, such as home, food, gas, car, with added medical, travel and hotel costs can be astronomical. This account will enable Jeremy and Maryanne to concentrate on getting Jeremy well and fighting this horrible disease.

 

Many of you know that Jeremy is the kindest soul you will ever meet. He is humble, private, and proud. It was all we could do to get him to agree to this. He has always made sure others' needs are met before his own and now is our chance to repay him as we rally together in this fight.

 

From the bottom of our hearts, we humbly ask that you share this link with friends and family, and if possible, in giving. Any amount will help. We thank you for your support, and God bless each of you!

 

Jason and Jody Smart
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