Support Jaybyrd's Fight Against Lung Cancer

Help Jaybyrd Beat Lung Cancer – Let’s Lift Him Up Like He’s Lifted Us

Dear Friends, Family, and Community,

I’m reaching out with a heavy heart and a hopeful spirit to ask for your help on behalf of my dear friend of 30 years, John Dufresne, known to so many as Jaybyrd.

Jay is currently battling Stage 3 lung cancer. He recently underwent surgery to remove part of the tumor, and now faces 12 grueling weeks of chemotherapy. While his spirit remains strong and his sense of humor intact, the road ahead is challenging—and he cannot face it alone.

Jay can’t work during treatment and recovery, and like so many in his situation, he now faces mounting medical and living expenses. That’s where we come in.

Who is Jaybyrd?

If you’ve ever met Jay, you remember him. His infectious laugh, his endless jokes, and his willingness to lend a hand are impossible to forget. He’s the guy who would give you the shirt off his back—or show up at 6 AM with a coffee and a can-do attitude, just because you needed a friend.

Jay grew up in Troy, NY, attending LaSalle Institute and later graduating from Troy High School. He’s lived much of his life in the Capital Region, though he's had his share of adventures beyond New York State—including a stint as a tractor-trailer driver, where he saw the country with the same curiosity and humor he brings to everything.

You may know Jay from one of the many hats he's worn over the years:

As a stagehand at the Colonie Coliseum

Swinging a hammer with Dorsey Construction or TEK

Doing side jobs with unmatched craftsmanship and integrity

Or maybe you shared a laugh with him at Castaways or The Waterfront

Wherever and however you know him, one thing is for sure: Jay has touched countless lives with his warmth, loyalty, and endless energy.

Why We Need Your Help

Now, Jay needs us.

He’s fighting cancer with everything he has, but the financial burden is real. We’re hoping to raise enough to help cover:

Medical bills and co-pays

Travel to and from chemotherapy appointments

Everyday living expenses while he’s unable to work

Groceries and basic needs during this critical recovery period

No amount is too small. Every donation is a lifeline. And if you can’t give financially, you can still help by sharing this campaign far and wide.

Let’s Show Jaybyrd He’s Not Alone

Jay has always been the first to help others—with a smile, a joke, and a strong back. Now, it’s our turn to lift him up with that same love and generosity.

Let’s come together as friends, family, and a community to show Jay just how many people care. He would do it for us. Let’s do it for him.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

With love, hope, and gratitude!

THANK YOU!