Anyone who knows Jeremy, knows him as deep, highly intellectual, naturally talented, caring, comedic and witty. He’s a father of three who has always brought laughter and deep conversation to our family. Jeremy is the kind of person who lights up a room with his humor and passion for basketball and football, and he’s always stay connected to his loved ones. Seeing him go through this journey has been emotional and life-changing, and we knew as a family we had to support him in every and any way possible.

Jeremy was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in the Spring after months of pain and swelling getting progressively worse to the point he couldn’t eat and hardly talk—this has been incredibly tough. He went through 2 days of surgery, each lasting more than ten hours, where doctors removed the tumor from his mouth. This required the complete removal of his lower set of teeth, bone and skin grafts from both lower extremities, and resection of the majority of his tongue. His mouth was reconstructed, leaving a major scar on his shoulder, which later became infected and required another hospital stay, additional surgery, and a skin graft to close. Jeremy is currently receiving daily wound care for his grafts and antibiotics for the infection in his shoulder. He also has a PEG tube for nutrition, as he is unable to chew or swallow food due to swelling and the removal of his tongue. Jeremy spent about two weeks in the ICU, intubated and battling pneumonia, which prolonged his hospital course. After discharge, his shoulder wound became infected, leading to the additional surgery and ongoing medical treatment. Due to insurance limitations, Jeremy has not qualified for home health nursing or inpatient rehab, and our mom has been his full-time caregiver while still working her full-time job.

Although we have made multiple trips to support his medical and social needs, the financial strain has been overwhelming. We’re raising funds to help cover the costs of Jeremy’s ongoing hospital visits, surgeries, and the many trips to and from medical appointments. The support from caregivers, including time away from work, has added to the financial burden. With upcoming radiation treatments and continued healthcare needs, every contribution will help ease the pressure on Jeremy and our family, allowing us to focus on healing and hope. Despite everything, Jeremy’s optimism and humor remain strong. He’s found comfort in family, friends, and support groups, even as he faces vulnerability and uncertainty. It’s not easy for him to ask for help, but I’d like to ask for your help during these most unimaginable time of his life. We believe and know his story isn’t over, and with your support, Jeremy can continue to fight and embrace this second chance at life. Thank you to everyone for your love and support it means everything to J and our family.