Help Jason with Medical, food & shelter costs

Our names are Dennis and Joanne Brandkamp and we are the Father and Stepmother of Jason Brandkamp. Jason was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Small Cell Lung Cancer, and is in the process of undergoing treatment in hopes of giving him as much time with his family as possible. We want to tell you a little bit about Jason and his family, but we also want to be transparent as to the intent of this request for help. We are hoping to give Jason and his family a little support that will help him make the most of the time that he has left. Support that will help with the enormous burden associated with non-covered healthcare costs, and that will help him provide for his family and pay for basic necessities like food, shelter, clothing and essentials. Ultimately, the help we are asking for will give his family the financial assistance that will help them make a few more memories with their beloved Dad and Husband.

Jason is only 57 years old, and until a month ago had no idea anything was wrong. He was working out of town in Florida and woke up with pain in his back. Considering Jason works in construction, a backache isn’t uncommon, but this one got progressively worse. He went to the doctor and they thought he had strained his back. A week later, the pain was unbearable and Jason went to the hospital and asked them to run more tests. The results of those tests turned his life upside down. Jason has Stage 4 Small Cell Lung Cancer that has spread to 85% of his skeletal structure, his liver, adrenal gland, brain, and stomach. The pain in his upper legs and hips was so excruciating that they have already implanted rods into both femurs. He’s already started chemotherapy, as well as radiation therapy. A month ago, Jason was a vibrant 57 year old husband and father, and now he can’t walk, he’s in excruciating pain, and he’s been told that his time is very limited.

Jason is married to Stacey, and they have two wonderful kids - Kayden (8th Grade) and Samantha (6th Grade). Additionally, Jason is blessed with another son, Cameron, from a previous relationship, and they also serve as the legal guardian and caregiver for one other teenager - Amari. Jason has been self-employed for many years in the construction industry and provides the sole income for the family. Jason can no longer work, and therefore their source of income is gone. The family doesn’t have any savings and they are selling what they can to help make ends meet, but unfortunately it isn’t enough.

There are a lot of people that need help these days, so you may ask the question - “Why Jason, Stacey, and their family”? The answer for those that know them is simple - because they have given, and given, and given over the years. We could provide numerous examples but the one that stands out is that they took in 4 children of a friend that fell on hard times. They gave the children a home, fed them, took care of them, and insured that they felt loved and safe. That’s a huge sacrifice, but they didn’t see it as such. They didn’t flinch nor hesitate. They followed their hearts. Jason and Stacey provided a home for the kids for serveral years, and one of them still lives with them today - Amari. They did this even though they didn’t have much themselves, but they made it work as best they could. Ultimately, Jason and Stacey did without in order to help those that needed them.

We are hoping that you will follow their lead and do the same for them.

Thank you for considering Jason and his family. Whether you give to them or not, we hope that their story inspires you to give to someone less fortunate. Their selflessness has touched many and now that they are the ones in need, we hope that others follow their lead and give much needed assistance to their family or to someone else that may need help.

God Bless.