Support Jackson's Battle Against Rare Cancer

Dear friends and family,

We never imagined we'd be in this position, but today, my family and I are asking for your help as my brother, Jackson, battles a rare and aggressive cancer. As a survivor of testicular cancer, Jackson has faced many challenges before, but this diagnosis and the toll it has taken on him have been incredibly tough.

To begin with, I must mention that Jackson is a man of many talents and passions. He has made a name for himself as an executive chef at Bounty on Broad and Interim restaurants in Memphis, where his culinary skills have delighted many. As an active outdoorsman, spending time in nature, fishing, hiking, and kayaking have always brought him immense joy and peace. He's also a true-blue U of M Tigers fan, never missing a basketball game no matter where he has lived. But beyond his professional and recreational pursuits, Jackson is a loving husband to Carrie and a doting family member who has always put his loved ones first.

In June 2023, Jackson began experiencing symptoms after a summer kayaking trip. Fatigue, itching, and severe jaundice led to an emergency room visit and biopsy in El Paso, Texas, confirming our worst fears. He was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, an extremely rare cancer in the bile duct.

Scared by this news but as optimistic as always, Jackson and his wife, Carrie, moved from their home in Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico, to Albuquerque for chemotherapy at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center, hoping to shrink the tumor for surgery. Unfortunately, complications led to an unsuccessful liver resection in January 2024.

A liver transplant became our next hope. Jackson and Carrie contacted the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, and, after a rigorous evaluation, which involved long days of numerous tests, scans, and meetings with doctors, Jackson was deemed ineligible due to the tumor progression. The tumor had advanced beyond the parameters for a transplant, growing in and along his entire biliary tree.

Now back in Memphis, Jackson is undergoing an intense program of chemotherapy at West Cancer Center, with the goal of moving to radiation treatment. The side effects from this treatment have been extreme nausea, overwhelming fatigue, and a complete loss of appetite – significantly diminishing his overall well-being. He also has two biliary drains that need to be exchanged every other month, which allow his digestive system to function, but these same drains contribute to recurring bouts of sepsis and greatly impede his daily activities. For our family, it’s been frightening and incredibly hard to see him go through all of this.

Shortly after this diagnosis, Jackson had to leave his job as the general manager of Riverbend Hot Springs resort in T-or-C due to his illness. And throughout it all, Carrie has been his rock, acting as his primary caregiver, managing his medical needs and caring for him around the clock. But to make matters more difficult, Carrie was recently laid off from her remote position – adding financial strain to an already challenging situation.

And while Jackson has insurance, it only covers 80% of his medical expenses. So today, my family and I ask for your help to ease some of Jackson and Carrie’s worry and stress over the growing medical debt. Our goal is to raise $50,000, but any contribution, big or small, will make a significant difference.

I write all of this with Jackson and Carrie’s blessing, and with just one request from them: To let you know that Jackson is so incredibly grateful for all the love, support, and messages sent to him directly and by way of others. He hopes to be able to show each person his gratitude directly, just as soon as he’s feeling well and ready.

Please take care and thank you so much for keeping Jackson in your thoughts.

Louisa