Our friend Jesse Kellam is facing one of the toughest challenges of his life.

It all began with a sore on the right side of his tongue that just wouldn’t go away. After seeking medical advice, he was referred to an ENT specialist, who recommended a biopsy. The results came back positive for Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Further scans revealed that the cancer is stage 3 and has spread to a lymph node in his neck. This news has been overwhelming for Jesse and his family, including his wife and four boys: Jacob (19), Mason (16), Bradley (14), and Christopher (8).

Jesse is scheduled for major surgery at UMass Memorial on March 24, 2026, which will include a partial glossectomy and a modified radical neck dissection. The procedure will require several days in the ICU and at least a week in the hospital, followed by a long and challenging recovery at home.

We are reaching out to ask for your support during this difficult journey. Because Jesse is self-employed, everything pauses while he focuses on surgery and recovery.

Every donation helps lift the weight of lost income and the many unexpected expenses that come with a diagnosis like this, giving him the space to focus on healing and his family. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser would also mean so much. Thank you for standing with Jesse and his loved ones as they fight for a brighter, healthier future!