Jamie’s Ask For Help During Cancer Financial Hardships

Hello. My name is Tia Howard, and I am the older sister of Jamie Howard, who this GoFundMe is for. This is one of those cases where the worst things happen to those who don’t deserve it. Jamie is the 3rd child between our procreators. Growing up, my brothers and I were always close and hanging out. We’d ride our bikes, go to the park, the movies or just explore around our neighborhoods as much as we could. We were natural explorers, and I want him to be able to explore what the world has to offer. I want Jamie to be able to live a long, happy life, whatever that may entail for him. As an adult, Jamie has shown how caring and selfless he can be. Even now, as he’s going through one of the hardest periods of his life, he is still helping others when he can. He has a little expertise in some areas that allows him to be able to help in different ways. He is a strong young man who is fighting a fight no one saw coming, especially to him of all people.

In 2019, Jamie found out that he had Gastric Adenocarcinoma, which is Stomach Cancer. Towards the end of 2021, he was told that it looked like the cancer was going away, but in early 2022, it was confirmed that he still had cancer. At first, he was dealing with it alone, but due to his cancer recurrence, he was finally letting us in on the details so that we, his immediate family, could help him as much as we could.

When he first found out that he had cancer, and had to do a lot of labs and tests, his insurance only covered little to none of the costs. He was either paying out of pocket or accruing the debt that comes with being terminally ill in this country. His current insurance now covers a little bit more, but there are just some things that aren’t covered, especially because of how serious his health problem is. Through all of this, he has been suffering with stomach pain, chest pain, dizziness, and random bouts of coughing up blood. He has been having weekly chemo radiation, which makes him extremely weak. Through all of this, he also found out he has Parkinson’s disease. Because this is also a recurring cancer, the doctors are saying it might have spread in other places, like lymph nodes.

When his health started reclining due to chemo, it made it hard for him to work as much as he wanted, and needed, in order to keep up with not only his regular bills, but now his medical bills on top of that. Jamie still tries to work as much as possible, and currently has a part-time job, but due to his medical issues, he does have to take a lot of time off. Luckily his job is very understanding on this part, but unfortunately his bills aren’t.

Recently, Jamie’s living and financial situation have reached a point where he is asking for the help of friends and family. So much has happened in such a short amount of time, and around the worst time, so he is letting that guard down and reaching out (through me because he is stressed tf out and wanted one less thing from his heavy plate). He just celebrated his 26th birthday and deserves to have so many more birthdays. He also has a 3 year old dog, whose name is Henry and loves Jamie so much. Henry has been with him during these hard times. Jamie has so much to live for and wants to live! He is fighting to live.

In this time of need, ANYTHING helps. Nothing is too small. Jamie is a private person, doesn’t do a lot and stays out of trouble. Nobody deserves to go through this, especially not to my little brother. Now he is asking for your financial help to take some of the burden from his shoulders, so that he may continue to rest, lower his stress, and stay healthy and fight this battle. As his older sister who hates to see him going through this, I also ask family and friends to give anything you can, when you can. I know it's the holiday season, and times are tough for all of us right now, but I ask for any help. Thank you guys so much in advance!! I love each and every one of you! Keeping him in your thoughts, praying for him, sending positive vibes, etc., that all works and we’ll gladly accept those too! And, from the top of my lungs, FUCK CANCER!!!!