Help Jason and his Family Through End of Life

Hi all, Shannon here, Jason's sister. First of all, thank you for even being here. This Fundraiser is to show support for my brother and his family in this very tough fight against cancer. Many of you will already know that this is not Jason's first battle with cancer, or even second at this point, but I will do my best to briefly tell his story:

At the age of 16 Jason was first diagnosed with Nasal Pharengial Carcenoma. He spent the majority of his Junior Year of High School in and out of the hospital with Chemo and Radiation treatments and finally won the battle (with recovery still ahead) just in time for his 17th birthday. He then managed to go on and complete his senior year of high school graduating with his class as well as earning the rank of Eagle Scout. We were all extremely proud of him and in awe of his strength and good spirits through everything.

His 2 year check up was clear, 5 year check up was clear, 10 year check up was clear!

Now in his mid 30s, living in South Dakota, having worked for the State parks system (Nebraska and South Dakota) for almost 20 years, married to Ali Jo, foster parent/legal guardian to teenage girls Jordis and Jaida and new father to Joseph, exactly 20 years later the scans were not clear.

He had developed Malignant Melanoma in his neck. A scary thought, but a small blip taken care of with surgery and followed by a year of Immunotherapy. A tiring year of trips to Omaha a few times a month, low energy and stress for all, until the year was up and all was clear! ...for a few months at least... follow up scans showed that the cancer was back and in the Lymph Nodes. Another round of surgery to remove the culprit and all other Lymph Nodes in the region and another year of Immunotherapy to follow. Except, again the scans were not clear before the year was even up. There was a tiny lymph node that made it through and had become infected. Surgery was questionable, so an additional immunotherapy instead, and a few months wait to see if it shrinks. It did not, and the treatments began to take a toll on Jason's body which culminated in a week long hospital visit. Since returning home his health continued going downhill rapidly and ended with more scans and the realization that the cancer had spread to Lymph nodes in his chest, his bones: spine, femur, ribs etc. and lesions on his liver.

Now immune to chemo therapy, we are all hopeful that a new protein based treatment will have an impact. As well as an experimental cancer treatment developed by our own Uncle (Hans Hoffmeister) and his father (Hans Sr.) and managed by our cousin Gustav in Germany. Jason is by far the strongest member of this family and armed with the Tonsfeldt stubbornness we know he may be worn but he won't stop fighting and will continue to bring strength and good spirits to everyone around him.

We thank you for donating in any way you can to help cover the on-going medical bills, travel to Germany for treatment and not to mention the stresses and cost of raising a family of 3, or 4; as Ali now claims the addition of caring for Jason as an added child ;)

Please keep Jason and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Send love, healing and hope.