Help Zack Continue His Fight for Life

Zack is one of the strongest and most inspiring people I've had the honor of knowing in my life, and he is battling cancer that's spread through his body that was supposed to kill him almost 4 years ago. Yet, every day he gets up and keeps moving forward, unwilling to let it take him yet.

Nearly fourteen years ago I called Ballard Jiu Jitsu to see if I could get my son in to train, and Zack answered the phone. At the time, I was a single mom, working full time at a cafe and going to school full time, and barely had the funds to pay my bills, never mind afford to buy expensive sports gear for my son. He made sure that my son could train regardless, and has had my back ever since, including encouraging me to start Jiu Jitsu.

On November 30th, despite feeling horribly sick from his cancer, he showed up at the gym and gave me my brown belt. This is an honor of a lifetime, which I will carry with me forever. Zack has always been the lifeblood of our school, working hard to make sure that low-income families had a space, and that people from diverse communities feel welcome.

Now Zack needs our love and support more than ever. He is down to 100lbs and can't work, but still shows up on the mat when he's able to leave the house. Please help with whatever level you're able so that he can continue to pay for medical care, household bills, and in-home care as it becomes more and more necessary. Let's show Zack the same love he's showed this community over the last 20 years!