Jay Needs Our Help Now

Everyone who knows Jay (or “Jake”) LeBlanc knows him to be an energetic, free-spirited, loving, and above all, a kind and generous man, who gives selflessly of himself to anyone. He is devoted to his congregation and goes out of his way to help anyone in need.

Now, Jay needs us. On February 5, 2023, he suffered a horrible accident, which resulted in six broken bones, including two compound fractures in the right leg, ankle, and foot.

Throughout February and March, Jay had five separate surgeries to try and repair his leg so that he can walk again. One surgeon placed a titanium plate in his ankle, but shortly after, it became highly infected. Known as a “superbug,” a severe, uncontrollable staph infection then spread to the bone, despite 24-hour intravenous antibiotics. His injuries proved to be life-threatening and he has since been transferred to the Charles George VA & Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. He is undergoing a grueling 6th surgery to remove all previously installed “dirty” hardware, infected bone, and tissue, with an uncertain prognosis.

His condition continues to get worse. As of last week, he has developed gangrene and the infection continues to spread quickly. His surgeons are uncertain if they can save his leg and may need to amputate to save his life.

The loss of a leg would be devastating to anyone. Especially to a young and athletic man who makes his living as a carpenter. As you might imagine, an accident of this magnitude has already depleted his savings, crushed any hope of starting a new life (at least for the foreseeable future), and left him unable to work indefinitely. Loss of all income (both past, present, and future) on top of unfathomable medical expenses are creating insurmountable challenges.

For those of you who know Jay, you know how giving he is to his friends, work colleagues, and even strangers. He has helped so many throughout his life and warmed our hearts. But now HE is the one very much in need of our donations, support, and prayers as he fights to keep his leg.

We are asking God to keep Jay strong throughout the subsequent surgeries he will require, physical therapy, and in-home care and nursing he will need to walk again—whether it be with or without a prosthetic.

We are asking you to help ease the financial burden so he can focus more on saving his leg and worry less about how he can afford to live when he leaves the hospital.

Jay is in a very dark, depressed, and excruciatingly painful place right now. He is not the happy, positive, exuberant person we all know. Any donation of financial support you can make is greatly appreciated and will go directly to Jay to fund medical and living expenses when he is ultimately discharged from the hospital.

To his family, old friends, new friends, and ALL Facebook friends, if you have ever accepted Jay’s kindness in your life, now is the time to return such kindness. He has served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Gulf War and worked hard his entire life, all while making time to help others. He is notorious for putting others' needs before his own. Now, he needs us.

Even the smallest donation you can afford will make a difference. If you are unable to contribute, please share this post in your Facebook feed. A friend of a friend may be able to contribute to his fundraiser.

Please, if you are able, make a secure donation directly on his GoFundMe page. Thank you all so much for any help you can provide Jay during this incredibly difficult time. He is incredibly grateful for all the prayers he continues to receive.

If you have a Facebook page, please don’t forget Jay and don’t forget to repost.

We'll post medical updates to the page as they become available.

Sorry, the photos are a bit graphic, but it felt appropriate to share.