In Memory of James Acierno

Dear Reader;

I want to help raise money to for the support of the immediate family of my nephew, James Acierno.  He passed away on July 20, 2018 at age 20.   This picture was taken at his wedding in April.

Two years ago, James graduated from high school in Berthoud Colorado, class of 2016.  It was a very exciting day for James and his family.  We all watched as his class marched around the football field at the ceremony. There was a big family gathering after. Everyone was looking forward to James' exciting future.  

But things don't turn out as they seem.  Around the same time he was graduating high school, James was afflicted with cancer.  No one knew it for about 8 months, but it started.  Over the next 16 months, my family watched helplessly as his health declined.  



James was anything but helpless.  He fought, and fought hard.  He endured severe pain, as the cancer spread. He went to radiation and chemo therapy. 

At 19 years old, James had a lot left to do.  His life was certainly NOT going to be defined by cancer.



He went on road trips, watched after his family.  He was a big Star Wars fan.  He truly made the most of the time he had left.

This past April, he married the love of his life, Hannah Acierno.

I'm attaching a link to his Facebook profile.  It tells the story better than I can.  https://www.facebook.com/james.acierno.3 

Last week, we knew his time was drawing near.  His cousin Jen wrote:

Hello family. Just doing a quick update. James is holding on. He went to children's on Monday to say goodbye to his doctors and nurses and that was very exhausting and hard on his body. Considering he can't really move to even go to the bathroom right now..... He's very concerned about his mom, (Lori)  and Dad (Rob)  and (sister) Alyssa. Probably more so than dying. He's very concerned with (his wife) Hannah and what's gonna happen to her when he's gone.... physically he is sleeping a looot. And he's in a loooot of pain. They are draining liquid off him daily. His oxygen has been upped again, he went from 5 liters to 20 liters. He currently is fighting headaches and nosebleeds. The oncologist thinks it's the cancer nodules in his skull and face are leaking and putting pressure on his brain and sinuses. They're eating crap and now they can't even afford that. So if you would be willing/able to help with that let me know and I'll get you put on the train when I set it up tomorrow.... the other problem they are having is James is being very specific on being buried with a weeping willow planted over him. Rob is looking into it to make it happen for him. There are some major expenses with funerals and then more fees for trees and blah blah blah. So. Yea. There's your update lots of fun stuff today

The next day, James passed on to find peace, and relief from his pain. 



His family needs assistance. There are funeral expenses and lost time from work.  Since James passed on in their apartment, they will need to find a new home.  The pain of living in the space where he passed is too much.  

I'm asking for prayers, and financial assistance.  What ever your heart calls on you to do will be greatly appreciated.  All of the money raised will go directly to the Acierno family.

Thank you for reading this, and God Bless.