I want to tell you about a friend of mine named Jordan. He’s one of the best kids I've ever met in my life, who has recently been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

Jordan is the son of Stefan, the finest Airman who I ever had the pleasure of working with during my time in the United States Air Force - a fast and true friend. He's also the son of Jenn, an incredibly tough, resilient woman, who remains strong and sure in the face of relentless challenges, and brother of Natalie, a bright, charming young lady full of spunk.

His recent diagnosis is actually only the latest in a long history of Jordan's battle with neurofibromatosis (NF), a rare disease impacting only 100,000 families in the United States. For over twenty years, they have braced themselves repeatedly for the worst news, but have never once let it stop them from enjoying each moment as the gift it is. Jordan didn’t let NF define his life and always searched for a deeper meaning and enjoyment in everything he did. His sister Natalie blossomed into a sweet young woman, ready to tackle anything. Stefan and Jenn kept serving as a military family and always worked to build a community and family atmosphere at every base they were assigned.

Over the last two years, Jordan's tumors turned cancerous and became extremely aggressive. Several weeks ago, it was declared terminal.

Jordan and this incredible family have been overcoming obstacles since he was very small, and doing a great job of it, but now his fight has taken a new and more uncertain turn. I want him and his family to have an incredible experience with the time they have left together.

Jordan deserves to check off every item on his bucket list, but it’s not financially feasible for a military family of four operating on a single source of income. So much of their efforts in life have been diverted to banding together as a family and charging ahead through incredibly difficult circumstances.

The last video I've been shown of this incredible young man is one of him walking out of his last radiation treatment ringing the bell, like a man walking triumphantly through the streets at a victory parade. I'd like to keep that parade going long and strong, and help relieve his parents, who have worked so hard throughout his whole life, of the financial stressors that come with a chronic medical condition. Military service is no path to riches (that’s why they call it service), and although government health insurance is good, it doesn’t cover all the ancillary costs associated with the lifelong management of health issues.

As they take this journey, I believe every day should reflect the same attitude that Jordan had when he rang that bell – triumph.

Jordan and his family have been a gift to everyone they have come across – every Air Force base, every family, every friend. Please help me give a small portion of that gift back to them.

Thank you all so much for your support for this family.