Jason Martin's surgery
Donation protected
We, the family and friends of Jason Martin, are humbly asking for your financial and prayer support to help us raise the funds required to cover the cost of a much needed surgery that is only available with a specialist thoracic surgeon in St. Louis, Missouri as a last resort effort to treat a severe chronic pain condition that Jason has been suffering from for the past 20 years.
My brother Jason is a pretty amazing guy who critically needs our help. He grew up in Winnipeg as the youngest of three boys and has always lived with a real zest for life, quick wit and positive attitude. He married his university sweetheart Sheila and together they have raised two talented and fun loving daughters Keely and Emily.
Jason is a people person who was used to working hard, playing hard and cheerfully contributing to his community at church, on the sports field, serving on boards of various organizations and at his job as a Director at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Canada’s dinosaur capital Drumheller, Alberta. Because of his stoic and gregarious nature not many people in his life realized until his condition seriously worsened about 3 years ago that he had been bravely fighting a lengthy battle to try to function normally despite a frustrating and worsening pain condition that has been extremely difficult to diagnose let alone treat. His condition has worsened to the point that he had to give up all sporting activities and pleasure travel and pays dearly to exert himself in normal daily activities we all take for granted.
Even with multiple diagnostic scans, we are still at a loss to know exactly why or how Jason’s illness began. Over the course of many years unusual symptoms of headaches, fatigue, neck, shoulder, arm and hand pains, parasthesia and nerve pain continued to increase in frequency and severity. Jason soldiered on and dealt with his pain symptoms without complaining. He diligently sought many forms of medical treatments including physical therapies, injections, diet and lifestyle changes, and continuous prescription medications.
The search for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan took Jason across the country and eventually to the Center for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. It was there in February 2017 that he was given a clear diagnosis of neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and was advised of a specialized surgery that would give him the best chance of success in relieving this debilitating pain and avoiding the risk of losing right arm function due to excessive nerve damage. Finally, there was some real hope of relieving this debilitating, chronic pain condition.
Unfortunately this form of surgery is not available in Canada and the out of country surgery has an enormous price tag estimated at around $100,000 Canadian. Jason’s prolonged efforts, along with his dedicated family physician Dr. Olfert, to jump through endless bureaucratic hoops to seek funding through the Alberta government met with one closed door after another. Jason has updated close family and friends on his journey and has been faithfully encouraged to not lose hope.
Jason and his immediate family are committed to raising a substantial portion of this cost, which is required prior to surgery. However, we also need your help through this Go Fund Me campaign to reach our goal of raising $70,000 to be able to schedule this surgery as soon as possible which we pray will restore Jason back to full health. We can’t thank you enough for your encouragement and financial support in any amount whatsoever. Please give through Go Fund Me to help Jason. Thank-you.
My brother Jason is a pretty amazing guy who critically needs our help. He grew up in Winnipeg as the youngest of three boys and has always lived with a real zest for life, quick wit and positive attitude. He married his university sweetheart Sheila and together they have raised two talented and fun loving daughters Keely and Emily.
Jason is a people person who was used to working hard, playing hard and cheerfully contributing to his community at church, on the sports field, serving on boards of various organizations and at his job as a Director at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Canada’s dinosaur capital Drumheller, Alberta. Because of his stoic and gregarious nature not many people in his life realized until his condition seriously worsened about 3 years ago that he had been bravely fighting a lengthy battle to try to function normally despite a frustrating and worsening pain condition that has been extremely difficult to diagnose let alone treat. His condition has worsened to the point that he had to give up all sporting activities and pleasure travel and pays dearly to exert himself in normal daily activities we all take for granted.
Even with multiple diagnostic scans, we are still at a loss to know exactly why or how Jason’s illness began. Over the course of many years unusual symptoms of headaches, fatigue, neck, shoulder, arm and hand pains, parasthesia and nerve pain continued to increase in frequency and severity. Jason soldiered on and dealt with his pain symptoms without complaining. He diligently sought many forms of medical treatments including physical therapies, injections, diet and lifestyle changes, and continuous prescription medications.
The search for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan took Jason across the country and eventually to the Center for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. It was there in February 2017 that he was given a clear diagnosis of neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and was advised of a specialized surgery that would give him the best chance of success in relieving this debilitating pain and avoiding the risk of losing right arm function due to excessive nerve damage. Finally, there was some real hope of relieving this debilitating, chronic pain condition.
Unfortunately this form of surgery is not available in Canada and the out of country surgery has an enormous price tag estimated at around $100,000 Canadian. Jason’s prolonged efforts, along with his dedicated family physician Dr. Olfert, to jump through endless bureaucratic hoops to seek funding through the Alberta government met with one closed door after another. Jason has updated close family and friends on his journey and has been faithfully encouraged to not lose hope.
Jason and his immediate family are committed to raising a substantial portion of this cost, which is required prior to surgery. However, we also need your help through this Go Fund Me campaign to reach our goal of raising $70,000 to be able to schedule this surgery as soon as possible which we pray will restore Jason back to full health. We can’t thank you enough for your encouragement and financial support in any amount whatsoever. Please give through Go Fund Me to help Jason. Thank-you.
Organizer
Jeff Martin
Organizer
Winnipeg, MB
