Thank you all for the outpouring of love and support for our dad, Ben Jones. Your kind words, thoughts, and prayers mean the world to us as we navigate this challenging time together.

In May 2024, our dad began experiencing a series of concerning symptoms: extreme fatigue, breathlessness, dizziness, stomach pain, swelling, nausea, and loss of appetite. After months of tests and uncertainty, we finally found answers on November 21, 2024, when doctors at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago diagnosed him with AL Amyloidosis, a rare and complex disease, as well as Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer that often overlaps with amyloidosis.

What was supposed to be a joyful family vacation quickly turned into a medical emergency, and a diagnosis that would change everything. Amyloidosis occurs when abnormal proteins, called amyloid, accumulate in the organs and affect normal function. For our dad, both his kidneys and heart are impacted, and the bone marrow biopsy revealed the presence of multiple myeloma.

The road ahead is long and uncertain, but we are grateful for the advancements in research and treatment. Our dad is currently receiving care and chemotherapy at Northwestern, and we’re hopeful that once he’s stable to discharge, he can continue his treatment at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, one of the leading centers for amyloidosis.

As you can imagine, the costs associated with his treatment, travel, medical expenses, and time away from work are significant. To help ease the financial burden, we’ve set up a fund for those who wish to contribute. Any support—whether financial, through prayers, or by simply checking in—would mean so much to our family.

We are holding onto the beauty of the love and comfort we’re receiving from our friends and family during this tough time. Your kindness and support are helping our dad stay strong, and we can’t thank you enough.

To follow along with Ben's journey, you can visit our CaringBridge page here