Pitch in for Pearce - Jim’s Cancer Expenses

Jim Pearce is 2002 graduate of Lower Cape May Regional High School. He is employed by La Terra Stone as a Computer Programmer and has owned and operated a successful business, Pearce Lawncare, for the last 6 years. He and his girlfriend Rochelle live in the Villas section of Lower Township with their fur babies, Brody and LowLow.

Jim is easily one of the hardest working men I’ve ever known, constantly putting in a full day of work at his “real” job, immediately followed by putting in a full shift of serving his customers lawncare needs all over Cape May County. Sun up to sun down. He is always working and always hustling. The man is a beast.

Jim is the King of Sarcasm and is quick to crack a joke, often times making you want to crack him in the mouth. But his heart? His heart is pure gold.

On September 7th, Jim suffered a seizure and was rushed to the hospital, later being transferred to ACMC Atlantic Campus. CT scans and MRI’s determined the catalyst of the seizure. A mass located on the right side of Jim’s brain.

On September 12th, Jim underwent surgery to perform a biopsy of the mass to determine its nature. An incision was made into his head and a small hole drilled into his skull to snip a fragment of the mass for pathology. The biopsy angered the mass and the following day Jim suffered five seizures in the hospital. Doctors were able to find the right medication cocktail to prevent further seizures and (knock on wood) he has been seizure free to date.

Jim spent 11 days in the hospital and was discharged on September 17th. The pathology from the biopsy revealed that Jim has a grade ll glioma. In the United States, there are six cases of gliomas diagnosed per 100,000 people every year. Most grade II gliomas are infiltrative, which means that the tumor cells do not remain concentrated in one area, and generally cannot be cured with surgery. These tumors grow slowly over years, but eventually most transform into high-grade gliomas that can be life-threatening.

Resection (surgical removal) is typically the first line of defense for a grade ll glioma, however, surgery is not an option for Jim as, due to the location of the tumor, he would likely be rendered permanently damaged, both mentally and physically.

Jim has started radiation treatment. He has 10 in the bag and 23 more to go. They anticipate his radiation to be completed in early December. Chemotherapy will start 3-4 weeks after the radiation treatments are concluded. They anticipate 36 weeks of chemo.

This is going to be a long and arduous uphill battle. If you know our Jimmy, you know that he is a proud man and that the last thing he wants to do is accept charity. The medical bills have started to pour in and he is facing a financial crisis. Jim needs all of the support that he can get right now. If you are in a position to help alleviate some of the financial burden that his cancer is causing, please consider making a donation. If you are not able to donate, please share so that someone who is able might.

Please keep Jim in your thought and prayers.