On behalf of our dear friends, Hannah and Jason Thullbery, we (Dede Hunter and Sylvia Trein) would like to tell you about this special GoFundMe.
Hannah currently teaches middle school English at Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale) and Jason is a Quality Assurance Analyst at TransUnion (Boca Raton). They were married June 4th, 2011, after forming a fast friendship in college (Palm Beach Atlantic University). They live in Pompano Beach and attend CityChurch Fort Lauderdale.
In 2009, at age 23, Jason was diagnosed with Stage 2 colon cancer. Over the next year, he underwent aggressive chemotherapy and radiation, but continued to show growth of pre-cancerous polyps, which necessitated alternative treatment in the form of multiple surgeries. Dozens of procedures and surgeries removed his colon and sections of his small intestine.
Last summer (2015), Jason had his final bowel resection surgery, and has arrived at a point where no more can be removed; yet, multiple pre-cancerous polyps remain. Day-to-day, he has been making do with the assistance of an ostomy pouching system and drugs which help to slow his digestion for the absorption of vital nutrients. However, this arrangement has resulted in malnutrition, extreme weight loss, and loss of bone density.
This year, Jason was introduced to a new treatment, a multivisceral transplant. It is the rarest transplant available, only performed at a few hospitals in the United States, including the Cleveland Clinic in OH. It entails transplant of the small intestine, the stomach, the pancreas, and possibly the liver.
This transplant is his only viable option left for life.
Besides the very real life-and-death urgency of this event, the Thullberys are faced with out-of-pocket expenses not covered by their insurance. These include, but are not limited to:
- several expensive not-covered drugs (ranging from $10/month to $600/month)
- Total Parenteral Nutrition (for vital weight-gain and nutrients in anticipation of the transplant)
- hospital stay before and after the transplant
- an estimated 9-12 months of salary-loss while Jason has surgery and recovers
- travel expenses to and from Ohio, particularly for Hannah as she continues to work in Florida.
- an apartment for Jason while he is in Ohio (as the hospital requires him to stay locally during the entirety of the 9-12 month treatment after transplant)
Any funds you contribute to this GoFundMe will go directly to these expenses and to the continuing care post-transplant.
We thank you for reading through this. We and the Thullberys covet your prayers as all of this transpires. We will update regularly as the events unfold.
Please share this with your friends and family, as any support makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.
Hannah currently teaches middle school English at Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale) and Jason is a Quality Assurance Analyst at TransUnion (Boca Raton). They were married June 4th, 2011, after forming a fast friendship in college (Palm Beach Atlantic University). They live in Pompano Beach and attend CityChurch Fort Lauderdale.
In 2009, at age 23, Jason was diagnosed with Stage 2 colon cancer. Over the next year, he underwent aggressive chemotherapy and radiation, but continued to show growth of pre-cancerous polyps, which necessitated alternative treatment in the form of multiple surgeries. Dozens of procedures and surgeries removed his colon and sections of his small intestine.
Last summer (2015), Jason had his final bowel resection surgery, and has arrived at a point where no more can be removed; yet, multiple pre-cancerous polyps remain. Day-to-day, he has been making do with the assistance of an ostomy pouching system and drugs which help to slow his digestion for the absorption of vital nutrients. However, this arrangement has resulted in malnutrition, extreme weight loss, and loss of bone density.
This year, Jason was introduced to a new treatment, a multivisceral transplant. It is the rarest transplant available, only performed at a few hospitals in the United States, including the Cleveland Clinic in OH. It entails transplant of the small intestine, the stomach, the pancreas, and possibly the liver.
This transplant is his only viable option left for life.
Besides the very real life-and-death urgency of this event, the Thullberys are faced with out-of-pocket expenses not covered by their insurance. These include, but are not limited to:
- several expensive not-covered drugs (ranging from $10/month to $600/month)
- Total Parenteral Nutrition (for vital weight-gain and nutrients in anticipation of the transplant)
- hospital stay before and after the transplant
- an estimated 9-12 months of salary-loss while Jason has surgery and recovers
- travel expenses to and from Ohio, particularly for Hannah as she continues to work in Florida.
- an apartment for Jason while he is in Ohio (as the hospital requires him to stay locally during the entirety of the 9-12 month treatment after transplant)
Any funds you contribute to this GoFundMe will go directly to these expenses and to the continuing care post-transplant.
We thank you for reading through this. We and the Thullberys covet your prayers as all of this transpires. We will update regularly as the events unfold.
Please share this with your friends and family, as any support makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.
Organizer and beneficiary
Hannah Thullbery
Beneficiary