
Jay Walters No One Fights Alone
Donation protected
In mid April of 2018, Jay was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma. Burkitt lymphoma is considered the most aggressive form of lymphoma and is one of the fastest growing of all cancers. But it is very rare, accounting for about 2 percent of all lymphoma diagnoses. The disease originates in mature B-lymphocytes, which are cells of the acquired immune system that produce antibodies to help fight off disease. Burkitt lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is most often diagnosed in young adults and children, especially male.
In the first week of April, Jay was hospitalized and immediately sent to the ICU for emergency surgery. He was struggling with back and body pain for weeks to months prior to April. The pain was getting worse and family noticed sudden weight loss and fatigue and Jay could sense that something was very wrong. Physicians at the emergency room started with multiple tests and exploratory surgery to find a diagnosis. Jay was soon life flighted to Cleveland Clinic. Within hours of being in the Cleveland Clinic after running multiple tests, doctors were fairly positive he had a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, soon to be diagnosed as Burkitt’s lymphoma.
The treatment will be very aggressive as the cancer has spread throughout his body and is into his brain/central nervous system. Multiple specialist are on his case and plan to treat with 6-8 rounds of chemotherapy. Jay was heavily sedated and bedridden for the first several weeks due to multiple surgeries and the severity of his cancer. He was woken up just days before his 24th birthday. He is undergoing physical therapy to regain his strength and has made a lot of progress to date. He also has an infection that his doctors are trying multiple different routes to treat, but have yet to clear up.
We are planning to use any funds raised to help Jay and his parents, Jim and Sandi, pay for the growing list of expenses. Jay does have medical insurance via his father, but deductibles and bills are starting to pile up. Jay was working as a welder prior to his hospitalization. Jay’s mother Sandi has been along side him 24/7 from the day he was admitted to the hospital. His father Jim has been on leave from work and has traveled back and forth from home to Cleveland to visit with Jay, but went home to take care of the family’s pets and household. Jim has only recently gone back to his job, so both parents went about 6-7 weeks without work. Jay would love to go back to his job as a welder, but most likely will not be strong enough to go back to work between his chemo treatments. Bills, medical expenses, and gas costs for many trips from home to Cleveland Clinic are rapidly adding up.
Any donations are appreciated, and we welcome any visitors to the hospital to help pass the time during chemo treatments. Jay has a very long road ahead of him with many hospital stays to come. Jay and his family appreciate all of the love, support and prayers we have received.
In the first week of April, Jay was hospitalized and immediately sent to the ICU for emergency surgery. He was struggling with back and body pain for weeks to months prior to April. The pain was getting worse and family noticed sudden weight loss and fatigue and Jay could sense that something was very wrong. Physicians at the emergency room started with multiple tests and exploratory surgery to find a diagnosis. Jay was soon life flighted to Cleveland Clinic. Within hours of being in the Cleveland Clinic after running multiple tests, doctors were fairly positive he had a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, soon to be diagnosed as Burkitt’s lymphoma.
The treatment will be very aggressive as the cancer has spread throughout his body and is into his brain/central nervous system. Multiple specialist are on his case and plan to treat with 6-8 rounds of chemotherapy. Jay was heavily sedated and bedridden for the first several weeks due to multiple surgeries and the severity of his cancer. He was woken up just days before his 24th birthday. He is undergoing physical therapy to regain his strength and has made a lot of progress to date. He also has an infection that his doctors are trying multiple different routes to treat, but have yet to clear up.
We are planning to use any funds raised to help Jay and his parents, Jim and Sandi, pay for the growing list of expenses. Jay does have medical insurance via his father, but deductibles and bills are starting to pile up. Jay was working as a welder prior to his hospitalization. Jay’s mother Sandi has been along side him 24/7 from the day he was admitted to the hospital. His father Jim has been on leave from work and has traveled back and forth from home to Cleveland to visit with Jay, but went home to take care of the family’s pets and household. Jim has only recently gone back to his job, so both parents went about 6-7 weeks without work. Jay would love to go back to his job as a welder, but most likely will not be strong enough to go back to work between his chemo treatments. Bills, medical expenses, and gas costs for many trips from home to Cleveland Clinic are rapidly adding up.
Any donations are appreciated, and we welcome any visitors to the hospital to help pass the time during chemo treatments. Jay has a very long road ahead of him with many hospital stays to come. Jay and his family appreciate all of the love, support and prayers we have received.
Organizer and beneficiary
Sharon Tarby-Lewis
Organizer
Coraopolis, PA
Sandi Walters
Beneficiary