Helping the Wetzel family

A word from Jen's family:

Since Jen's passing, we have been overwhelmed by the continued kindness and support from our communities near and far. We are profoundly grateful for how family and friends have carried us through this difficult year and these last few heartbreaking weeks. So many of you have been committed and consistent in both prayer and through extending generosity in the form of meals, time together, and messages of love and support. Your financial gifts have helped our family navigate the ever changing realities of Jen's terminal illness. It’s difficult to answer the loaded question, ‘how are you,’ but I’ll try to put words to how our family is navigating this new chapter:

Kathryn is exploring what it means to be a young adult. She recently completed her first college course and we are exploring different paths that meet her career and education needs. She continues to work part time, gain confidence in driving, and spends quality time at karate.

Tyler is approaching his senior year of high school and beginning the college search process. He recently attended his Junior Prom, continues to love performing on stage and spending time at the karate studio.

Tim is focusing on healing—both physically from an ongoing back injury that limits his work capacity, and emotionally from the profound loss of Jen. He hopes to honor Jen by eventually traveling to places they had dreamed of visiting together.

If you feel moved to continue supporting our family during this time of transition, your financial giving would help us purchase a new family vehicle as well as assist with Tyler’s last year of school. Your gifts will also continue to help us bridge gaps as we grieve. In each of our own ways, the kids and I are overwhelmed to move forward - despite the trusted promise that Jen is fully healed in the presence of Christ. This side of Heaven feels far lonelier without her here.

Thank you for standing with us through this journey—your generosity and prayers continue to sustain us.

With heartfelt thanks, Tim, Kathryn, and Tyler Wetzel

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(How this fundraising page started, back in January of 2024....)

Dr. Jennifer Wetzel, pictured above with her family in November, has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. She had emergency surgery just before Christmas to remove the tumor, and she will begin a round of chemo and radiation in late January, but this will only prolong her life. The doctor's say that Jen’s life expectancy is 18-24 months.

As she gives up her part-time medical job at Mt. Airy Pediatrics to focus on her treatment and spending time with her husband, Tim, and 2 teenage children (Tyler, 15, and Kat, 17), and as Tim will need to continue to take time off of work to care for her, this family needs all the support they can get. They have a terrific community around them, but any financial gifts will be most appreciated. Your gifts will help to pay for Jen's medical insurance ($600/mo), to defray the cost of lost work (Jen has disability insurance, but it will only cover about 60% of her income, and Tim will need to take time off from his job at various points), and to help them enjoy their remaining months together.