Support Will Nation's Fight Against Cancer

Hello all,

First, I want to thank you for taking the time to read Will's story. I am Sal Munaco, and Will Nation has been an incredible employee and a great friend for the past 10 years. I have created this fundraiser to support him and his family.

This is Wills story...

Will Nation is an information technology professional with SSM Health who has worked with the health system for most of his adult life.

Last December, however, Will’s world was turned upside down. Despite no family history, he discovered he has Stage 4 colorectal cancer which had spread to his liver, lungs, and pelvis. He and his wife Jennifer are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year and are raising their two young daughters. While the disease threatens the life they’ve built, Will, at just 42 years old, is determined to beat the diagnosis and has no time for a negative outlook.

To see Will Nation now, posting selfie videos on TikTok (@BlueRibbonWarriorDad) that encourage others to adopt a positive attitude as he raises colon cancer awareness and keeps family and friends updated on his health, you’d never imagine that – just prior to his diagnosis – he was the kind of guy who was conditioned to expect negative things to happen, even in the mundane.

Privately, he wrestled with anxiety, some OCD issues, and minor depression. Externally, no one knew his struggles; he is a popular guy in a department known for his work behind the scenes. Beyond that, Will preferred to keep a low profile. Social media? No time, no need. If his wife wanted to share, that was fine. He was content, spending his spare time with his growing family.

But on his last out-of-town work trip, something didn’t feel right physically. He ignored it until he couldn’t, and then, with his wife Jennifer, made his way to the emergency room. The test results weren’t good.

As he and Jennifer struggled with the news in his hospital room last December, she pleaded with him, “Don’t leave me. I can’t raise these girls by myself.”

While Will continues to stay extremely positive, his battle with cancer continues. Recently, they found that the cancer has now spread into his spine, neck, and hip. Obviously, Will is not happy about the cancer spreading to his bones; however, that is not stopping him from fighting! Will continues to receive radiation treatments to shrink the cancer in his bones and continues to receive chemotherapy for the cancer in his colon, lungs, and liver.

Will has been a true inspiration to all of us. Will’s positive attitude is so inspiring to see and makes you realize that life is too short to sweat the small stuff – live life to the fullest and enjoy every second you have. Even with the little setbacks with his treatments, Will always has a positive attitude. It’s truly incredible.

Thank you all so much for your incredible generosity and support of Will Nation and his family. Your donations are making a significant difference as they face the many challenges brought on by his ongoing battle with cancer. Will continues to inspire everyone with his unwavering positivity, even as his treatments become more difficult.

We kindly ask that you share this GoFundMe with your friends, family, and on social media to help reach even more people who can support this wonderful family. Together, we can make an even greater impact! Thank you again for standing with Will and his loved ones during this time.