Helping Heal Jason Cirone

I am writing this GoFundMe campaign on behalf of my husband Jason Cirone and our children, Brooke (19) and Mason (17) Cirone.

On May 18, 2017, a tumor in Jason’s calf was diagnosed as Myxoid Liposarcoma, a rare, aggressive soft tissue cancer. He was ordered (and completed) 5 weeks of daily radiation to mitigate the tumor growth prior to surgical removal. Upon pre-op monitoring, 2 new tumors were discovered, another in his calf and one higher in his chest, just under his throat. Both of these tumors tested malignant and the one in his chest was removed during the surgical biopsy.

Due to the rate, speed, distance and means (blood) the metastasis has occurred, the doctors have categorized the status of his cancer as an aggressive stage 4. Myxoid Liposarcoma is a chronic, recurring cancer that may go into remission.

On August 14, 2017 Jason began his first round of chemo (we expect 4 rounds at this point). Chemo consists of inpatient hospitalization for 6 consecutive days. Upon completion of day 6, he is allowed to go home and recover for 2 weeks with no chemo. He hopes to work and resume normal activities during the 2 week breaks but time will tell how he tolerates the chemo and how much energy he has during his chemo breaks. This uncertainty makes planning my out of town job(s) even harder because I cannot be in 2 places at once (on the road working and at home in Omaha if Jason is ill). It’s a vicious cycle of uncertainty right now, even though we are optimistic, we are stuck on a treadmill.

This sudden change in Jason’s health has caused our family to re-prioritize and put Jason and his care first. Jason has not been able to work very much and I have worked 7 days since his initial diagnosis in May. Fortunately, I have control over my work schedule, but my work requires me to travel nationwide – so if I am not travelling out of state, I am not earning a paycheck. We currently reside in Omaha, where Jason is employed, and our family is mostly in Michigan and Canada. Our daughter, Brooke, is a junior in college out of state in Kansas City, MO. Our son, Mason, is a junior in high school and plays for a local travel hockey team, which requires a daily commitment and some out of town travel.

Now for the good news!! We are very optimistic and hopeful that Jason will win this game. He is a healthy, young dude and has the scars to prove he is a fighter. His family, friends, players and colleagues have been very supportive and have as much belief that he can beat this as he does. However, it takes a village, and we need some help from our villagers getting us there.

We don’t know what the future holds as far as recurring treatment or seeking medical care out of state, but the financial aspect already has our eyes bugging out of our head from what we have endured thus far. With the loss of most of my salary, and the escalating expenses, we are reaching out to our people and asking for help. The funds will be used to help and assist our family to meet Jason’s medical needs and medical expenses.

Jason has helped many people throughout his life and career, in many different ways, and now he is asking for some help in return. He is a good man, wonderful husband, loving father, committed teammate, and has been a mentor to more youth hockey players than I can count. We know he can do this, but he cannot do it alone. The Midland University hockey teams have beautifully summed up Jason’s battle: Strength of a Warrior #familyfirst – for which silicone wristbands are being made in the color representing sarcoma, yellow – how many yellow painted fingernails can we polish?!

Any size donation is generous, will help our family and is humbly appreciated.

Thank you for reading, liking, sharing and praying for Jason and our family.