Many of us with connections to Hudson, youth sports, Decorah, or racing know the Nesteby family. Jason, Heather, Drake, and Jackson have been a familiar and valued presence at countless events over the years. Whether it was cheering on the boys in sports, supporting one of the many teams Jason has coached, or seeing him preparing fields so our kids could play, chances are you've crossed paths with Jason and shared a conversation with him.

On July 25, while attending one of his favorite activities, racing, Jason suffered a sudden medical emergency. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital in Decorah, where doctors discovered a gastrointestinal bleed. After being stabilized, he was airlifted to Allen Hospital in Waterloo, where a specialized surgical team was able to perform a lengthy procedure to repair the bleed. Despite unexpected complications, the surgery was successful.

Shortly after the procedure, doctors determined that Jason had also suffered a stroke caused by two blood clots in his brain.

As of Sunday evening, Jason remained in ICU. Doctors continue to monitor Jason closely and conduct tests to better understand the cause of the stroke and determine the next steps in his recovery. While he remains in critical care, there have been encouraging signs. Jason has been semi responsive, communicating by squeezing Heather's hand and, true to his personality, even giving her an occasional stubborn smirk.

Jason is making progress, but the road ahead will be long. As he focuses on healing, Heather and the boys are facing mounting medical expenses, time away from work, and the many unexpected costs that come with a medical crisis.

Anyone who knows Jason knows he has spent countless hours giving back to our community. He has coached, volunteered, mentored, and worked behind the scenes to make life better for so many families. Now it's our turn to support him and the people he loves most.

We are asking for your prayers, your encouragement, and, if you are able, a financial contribution to help ease the burden on the Nesteby family during this difficult time. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference and allow them to focus on what matters most: Jason's recovery.

Thank you for your support, generosity, and continued prayers for Jason, Heather, Drake, and Jackson.

I will post condition updates here as they are available.

Monday Update: As of Monday evening, Jason remains in the ICU. Doctors performed additional testing today to help determine the cause of his stroke and guide the next steps in his care.

Jason continues to rest and has shown some responsiveness, particularly to Heather's voice. While there are still many questions to be answered, we remain hopeful and grateful for the excellent care he is receiving.