My friends, Chet Garrett and Theresa Tighe are faced with an unimaginable medical challenge. Chet was recently diagnosed with a rare, aggressive, and fatal condition called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). CJD is caused by abnormal proteins called prions. These prions trigger normal brain proteins to fold incorrectly, leading to severe brain damage, becoming fatal for those diagnosed within months to a year.

On April 9th, Chet started developing memory loss, confusion, visual changes, and difficulty speaking. Theresa did what any wife would do; she took him to the ER. He was then diagnosed with what they thought were absent seizures. He was later discharged and sent home on seizure medications, hoping it would help with his symptoms. His symptoms did not improve; they, in fact, got worse, and Theresa took him to another hospital for a second opinion. Different studies, further bloodwork, and more in-depth testing led to a 2-week waiting period for his results to come back. The results confirmed his diagnosis of CJD and also brought a lot of uncertainty. What had appeared as stroke-like symptoms, altered mental status changes, and difficulty walking has turned into a life-changing battle for Chet and Theresa.

Chet is a husband, son, father, and grandfather who loved spending time on his boat, riding his motorcycles, and having tea parties and playing salon with his granddaughters.

Chet has been working as a propane delivery driver for Berwick Propane, which requires him to have his commercial driver's license and a clear mind. This disease has taken Chet's ability to drive and provide for him and Theresa. Chet also was working for St. Mary's Villa Nursing Home in the maintenance department part-time, now unable to perform his job duties. Theresa has worked over 30 years at the Villa, caring for others selflessly while working her way through nursing school. She currently works as a Licensed Practical Nurse and has been out of work since Chet developed his symptoms. Both have hearts of gold and would give the shirt off their backs to anyone in need. Both Chet and Theresa are facing the unthinkable.

The diagnosis is a rare, rapidly progressing fatal disease. A one in a million chance to get the disease... Chet is one in a million. This disease affects the brain's ability to perform daily activities like walking, talking, and thinking. CJD is debilitating and unfortunately has no cure, just symptom management. Chet is currently losing his ability to walk, talk, and think, but still manages to smile and stay positive against one of the biggest fights of his life. Theresa continues to be one of his biggest supporters and daily caregiver, but her faith is running low. She has been unable to work, and her PTO is running out. She is Chet's full-time caregiver and would like him to remain home in his last few months of life instead of in a nursing home. Theresa is trying to remain strong for him and keep herself together, but it is mentally and physically exhausting trying to prepare for the unimaginable loss of your husband. Medical bills and the price of gas to get to appointments both just keep rising.

This is an incredibly difficult and uncertain time for both of them. The future is unclear; however, the expenses keep mounting. We are asking for your support whether through a donation, sharing this page, or your thoughts and prayers as they both try to navigate through all of this. Every act of kindness would mean more than you know to both Chet and Theresa.

Any funds raised from this will go directly towards living, medical, and end-of-life expenses. Let's rally around them and show them that they are not facing this fight alone!