Help Jonathan Beat Cancer: Your Support Means Everything

Hello, my name is Jonathan, and I’m reaching out to you today because I’m facing a challenging situation. On 12/17/24, I was diagnosed with cancer after a routine colonoscopy. After a stressful few months of testing and procedures to determine the best treatment plan, I learned that I have Stage 2 Rectal Cancer. I am not a candidate for radiation therapy because of the risk of recurrence at my age. I am hoping that the 3 months of chemotherapy that I started on 3/17/25 is enough to prepare me for surgery. I don’t know if I will require an ostomy yet temporary or permanent.

If you don’t already know me or my spouse, Justin, you may have seen us volunteering at Meow Cat Rescue WV Bingos over the years or at Tsubasacon every year since 2019 at the registration table. We are also both graduates of BridgeValley Community College (Kanawha Valley when I attended) and Marshall University. Justin has worked at the Charleston Target for six years now at the front of the store.

Over the past several years since Covid, I took care of my elderly father, Ed “Mr. Ed” Doak, before he suddenly passed last June. We have also been having to move from his home that was bought in December of '23 by the city of South Charleston to an apartment in St. Albans. We have to be out by 5/31/25. Dad had a reverse mortgage, so we didn't receive a large amount of money. Thankfully, we were able to pay off the mortgage and the family car. We all supported each other.

I already suffer from bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spondylosis (basically chronic low back pain) that I receive spinal injections to help relieve pain. I wasn't able to get a full-time job that I could do from home due to a lack of recent job experience, so I decided to pursue weight loss surgery a month before my diagnosis to help with the above back problems.

My future goal is to achieve remission and have weight loss surgery. I want to be able to get a full-time job, utilize my education, and pay it forward and give back to others.

As I go through chemotherapy and prepare for my future surgery, my spouse and I have been unable to work our part-time job doing Spark Delivery due to the unpredictable timing of side effects of my treatment. The side effects are also increasing as I have more rounds of Chemo. Unfortunately, we are struggling to keep up with everyday expenses. I am an only child, and we don't have any living parents to ask for help from. I am asking for your help to cover the cost of my treatment and essential living expenses during this difficult time.

The total funds raised will go toward:

Medical bills not covered by insurance.

Rent and utility bills.

Any other basic needs and personal expenses as I focus on getting better.

I understand times are tough for everyone, but if you’re able to contribute, it would mean the world to me. No donation is too small, and even sharing my campaign with your friends and family would mean the world to us.

I truly appreciate your support, whether it's through donations, thoughts, prayers, words of encouragement, or spreading the word. With your help, I can keep fighting this battle and stay focused on my treatment and healing without constantly worrying about how to pay for everything.

Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to read my story. We appreciate your kindness, love, generosity, and support during this time of need. Hopefully, I can overcome this battle and return to living a healthy and happy life soon.

With gratitude,

Jonathan & Justin Doak