Jason's Fight Against Rare Cancer
Donation protected
The Journey Begins
Jason and Stephanie Le Shana have three children: Elijah (5), Micah (4), and a new addition, baby Jude (infant). In May of 2018, Jason began to experience extreme pain in his left hip and leg. Doctors diagnosed his condition as inflammation of the hip socket, and prescribed a regimen of exercises to improve his condition. However, Jason’s pain escalated through July, leading to an MRI (at his request). On August 3, Jason and Stephanie received the startling MRI results: a large, 10cm x 10cm x 9cm tumor resided in the left side of Jason’s pelvis. This discovery launched several weeks of tests to determine the exact nature of the tumor. Those weeks were a whirlwind of activity, even as Jason’s pain began to spike to excruciating and debilitating levels. There were Emergency Room visits, doctor appointments, and more tests.
While Jason suffered, Stephanie was due to give birth to their third child on August 13 via C-section! Despite his pain and difficulty walking, Jason was determined to accompany Stephanie to the hospital to witness the birth of baby Jude. On the morning of the C-Section, as Stephanie and Jason sat in the prep room, Jason’s pain spiked to an extreme level, forcing them to make a truly gut-wrenching decision: Jason was not fit to be in the operating room with Stephanie and their new son. Instead, hospital personnel rushed him on a gurney to the Emergency Room to receive several rounds of IV pain-killers to bring him out of agony. Both Stephanie and Jason mourn the fact that he spent the birth of their third son alone in the ER.
The “C” Word
On Monday, August 20 (one week after Jude’s birth), the Le Shana family received more devastating news: Jason’s tumor was a rare and aggressive form of cancer, called sarcoma. Only about 1% of all cancer cases are classified as sarcomas, and there are dozens of sub-types. Moreover, the large tumor presented significant, life-altering consequences if simply removed through surgery. An aggressive treatment program of chemotherapy and radiation, both to shrink the tumor and to address any other malignancies in the body, would be critical for Jason’s quality of life.
Following consultations with some of the most highly respected sarcoma doctors and centers in the nation, Jason and Stephanie have identified the Houston, Texas-based cancer hospital MD Anderson as their preferred hospital for treatment. MD Anderson features a prominent and comprehensive sarcoma treatment center with experienced specialists and, most significantly, a proven track record of success in treating sarcoma.
Next Steps: A Major Move
The road ahead will be difficult. The current plan is for Jason to receive approximately six intense rounds of chemotherapy over the course of four months, followed by five weeks of radiation treatment. Approximately one month after the conclusion of radiation, the doctors expect to attempt to remove the tumor (which we earnestly pray will be much smaller by that time!).
The treatments (chemotherapy and radiation) will be lengthy, intense, and challenging. In addition, significant financial, emotional, and spiritual costs loom on the horizon. At this time, the Le Shanas plan to temporarily relocate their entire family to Houston while Jason receives chemotherapy and radiation (i.e., about 5-6 months), leaving a significant emotional and spiritual support system behind in Southern California. Although some extended family members live in the Houston area, the financial costs associated with pursuing this treatment are daunting.
We need YOU to continue to support Jason, Stephanie, Elijah, Micah, and baby Jude through prayer and giving financially as you are able! Thank you!
This GoFundMe account has been created to ask for your support in as few as one, and as many as three ways:
1. Pray: This battle is spiritual as much as it is physical. We invite you to commit to praying for the Le Shana family in this season. Specific request for the boys are for their overall adjustment to the move and for good school options for Elijah (Kindergarten) and Micah (Pre-K). Jason and Stephanie request prayer for peace and trust in God in this season of the unknown, for strength physically, emotionally, and spiritually during Jason’s treatments, and that Jason will be HEALED!
2. Give: Jason’s cancer diagnosis has led to significant, unplanned expenses. Money donated to them through this site will help to offset these costs, including but not limited to the following: increased health insurance premiums, medical costs (specialist appointments, scans/tests, prescriptions, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, etc), housing costs in Houston, travel to and from treatment (both car and airfare), and to supplement lower than usual income.
3. Share with your networks: We won’t be able to reach these goals without the help of a large village. Please consider sharing this with your friends and family, either via social networks, email, or word of mouth.
Note from the campaign organizer: Angela Rickey is the cousin of Jason Le Shana. She has partnered with Alison Westerlind (also cousin of Jason Le Shana) as the campaign team from Arizona representing all Family Members supporting The Le Shanas. Due to the overwhelming response to this site, a withdrawl plan has been established for Jason Le Shana as the beneficiary of all donations. Updates are forthcoming to share with you details behind how withdrawls are immediately going to be used for all aspects outlined in point #2 described above. Thank you all!
Jason and Stephanie Le Shana have three children: Elijah (5), Micah (4), and a new addition, baby Jude (infant). In May of 2018, Jason began to experience extreme pain in his left hip and leg. Doctors diagnosed his condition as inflammation of the hip socket, and prescribed a regimen of exercises to improve his condition. However, Jason’s pain escalated through July, leading to an MRI (at his request). On August 3, Jason and Stephanie received the startling MRI results: a large, 10cm x 10cm x 9cm tumor resided in the left side of Jason’s pelvis. This discovery launched several weeks of tests to determine the exact nature of the tumor. Those weeks were a whirlwind of activity, even as Jason’s pain began to spike to excruciating and debilitating levels. There were Emergency Room visits, doctor appointments, and more tests.
While Jason suffered, Stephanie was due to give birth to their third child on August 13 via C-section! Despite his pain and difficulty walking, Jason was determined to accompany Stephanie to the hospital to witness the birth of baby Jude. On the morning of the C-Section, as Stephanie and Jason sat in the prep room, Jason’s pain spiked to an extreme level, forcing them to make a truly gut-wrenching decision: Jason was not fit to be in the operating room with Stephanie and their new son. Instead, hospital personnel rushed him on a gurney to the Emergency Room to receive several rounds of IV pain-killers to bring him out of agony. Both Stephanie and Jason mourn the fact that he spent the birth of their third son alone in the ER.
The “C” Word
On Monday, August 20 (one week after Jude’s birth), the Le Shana family received more devastating news: Jason’s tumor was a rare and aggressive form of cancer, called sarcoma. Only about 1% of all cancer cases are classified as sarcomas, and there are dozens of sub-types. Moreover, the large tumor presented significant, life-altering consequences if simply removed through surgery. An aggressive treatment program of chemotherapy and radiation, both to shrink the tumor and to address any other malignancies in the body, would be critical for Jason’s quality of life.
Following consultations with some of the most highly respected sarcoma doctors and centers in the nation, Jason and Stephanie have identified the Houston, Texas-based cancer hospital MD Anderson as their preferred hospital for treatment. MD Anderson features a prominent and comprehensive sarcoma treatment center with experienced specialists and, most significantly, a proven track record of success in treating sarcoma.
Next Steps: A Major Move
The road ahead will be difficult. The current plan is for Jason to receive approximately six intense rounds of chemotherapy over the course of four months, followed by five weeks of radiation treatment. Approximately one month after the conclusion of radiation, the doctors expect to attempt to remove the tumor (which we earnestly pray will be much smaller by that time!).
The treatments (chemotherapy and radiation) will be lengthy, intense, and challenging. In addition, significant financial, emotional, and spiritual costs loom on the horizon. At this time, the Le Shanas plan to temporarily relocate their entire family to Houston while Jason receives chemotherapy and radiation (i.e., about 5-6 months), leaving a significant emotional and spiritual support system behind in Southern California. Although some extended family members live in the Houston area, the financial costs associated with pursuing this treatment are daunting.
We need YOU to continue to support Jason, Stephanie, Elijah, Micah, and baby Jude through prayer and giving financially as you are able! Thank you!
This GoFundMe account has been created to ask for your support in as few as one, and as many as three ways:
1. Pray: This battle is spiritual as much as it is physical. We invite you to commit to praying for the Le Shana family in this season. Specific request for the boys are for their overall adjustment to the move and for good school options for Elijah (Kindergarten) and Micah (Pre-K). Jason and Stephanie request prayer for peace and trust in God in this season of the unknown, for strength physically, emotionally, and spiritually during Jason’s treatments, and that Jason will be HEALED!
2. Give: Jason’s cancer diagnosis has led to significant, unplanned expenses. Money donated to them through this site will help to offset these costs, including but not limited to the following: increased health insurance premiums, medical costs (specialist appointments, scans/tests, prescriptions, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, etc), housing costs in Houston, travel to and from treatment (both car and airfare), and to supplement lower than usual income.
3. Share with your networks: We won’t be able to reach these goals without the help of a large village. Please consider sharing this with your friends and family, either via social networks, email, or word of mouth.
Note from the campaign organizer: Angela Rickey is the cousin of Jason Le Shana. She has partnered with Alison Westerlind (also cousin of Jason Le Shana) as the campaign team from Arizona representing all Family Members supporting The Le Shanas. Due to the overwhelming response to this site, a withdrawl plan has been established for Jason Le Shana as the beneficiary of all donations. Updates are forthcoming to share with you details behind how withdrawls are immediately going to be used for all aspects outlined in point #2 described above. Thank you all!
Fundraising team: Family Supporting The Le Shanas (2)
Angela Rickey
Organizer
Phoenix, AZ
Jason Le Shana
Beneficiary
Alison Westerlind
Team member
