HELP JEFF KNOCK CANCER OUT OF THE PARK

Jeff Shankle, a loving husband and devoted father of two, has quietly and courageously been battling a rare chronic cancer for the last five years. Wanting to lead as normal of a life as possible under the dark cloud of cancer, he faces each new day positively with a strong faith in God. Through aches, pains, and sleepless nights he still does it all, while never complaining or asking for help. But cancer isn’t meant to be fought alone, so together let’s help Jeff win his battle! He is our hero and this is his story.


The summer of 2014 Jeff went to the doctor for what he believed was a simple hernia. After undergoing a series of tests, the doctors had some devastating news to share. On June 17, 2014, the day of his son’s 5th birthday, a day meant for happiness and celebration, Jeff received the heartbreaking news that he had cancer. And a word that was unknown to him or any of us now became a part of our vocabulary. A word that we would tirelessly research to try to find some answers. A life changing word; Myelofibrosis.


Myelofibrosis is a chronic blood cancer where excessive scar tissue forms in the bone marrow and impairs its ability to produce normal blood cells. Some awful symptoms Jeff has been living with are an enlarged spleen, night sweats, bone pain, and fatigue. He has been on a few different chemotherapy pills to help with his symptoms, but they are not a cure for this disease, and they have now run their course. So, the time has come to try something new; a sort of last resort. Something scary and risky, but also something that could ultimately save his life: a Stem Cell Transplant.

Shortly after Jeff was diagnosed in 2014, the doctors needed to find a Stem Cell Transplant donor match for him for future use. It was thrilling news to find out that he had a sibling who was a perfect match, his sister Julie. On April 15th, 2019 his sister headed to Northwestern Medical in Chicago and successfully donated her stem cells. Jeff will now be ready to undergo the risky but hopefully life-saving procedure of a Stem Cell Transplant, which will take place on July 8, 2019.

We are asking family, friends, co-workers, and the community to help support this beautiful family during their difficult time. All proceeds from the GoFundMe will go directly to Jeff’s family to help them with their medical and living expenses. Any donation large or small will definitely help to take some stress off their tremendous financial burden, and would be greatly appreciated! Please share Jeff’s story to help bring awareness to this rare disease. Thank you for your support, love, and prayers!