Supporting Stacey and John

As we all know, Stacey and John's world was turned upside down a year ago when John was handed a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. As their loving community, these words generated a plethora of feelings. It stung. It was unfathomable. It felt helpless. For Stacey, John and their beautiful children, it was a gut punch that has left them all winded. This diagnosis is unrelenting. It challenges your every thought, decision, audacity to hope and dream. There is little solace from this unrelenting beast, as that is the nature of this diagnosis.

Battling cancer is a path that is not linear. There are some of the highest peaks and lowest valleys. Through it all, we do our best to support by offering to help with meals, assist with kids, run errands or lend an ear. All of these acts of kindness have filled their hearts and made an enormous difference. Yet, it still feels helpless on our end.

John and Stacey, being the amazingly selfless humans that they both are, refuse to ask for any assistance. In fact, they have stated that they cannot ask their community for anything because you all have been so giving already.

From an inside prospective, as some of us are navigating these foreign terrains alongside them, the need is so great, the guilt even greater; it feels isolating and imposing. How dare we ask anyone for anything as this is not their issue!! It feels like a complete imposition for anyone to take from their own family to contribute to ours. Also, the intrinsic need for repayment is far too great for any patient on the battle field.

However, blessings are bestowed upon us all in different ways. What a cancer patient and their family wouldn't give to be able to be on the other side of this situation gladly contributing to others. Such a catch 22!

Truth be told, standard of care, which is covered by insurance, has major limitations when you have an aggressive stage 4 cancer. At that point, it's time to get creative. Being creative equates to more funds than most of us could even fathom. It's just simply criminal.

As Stacey and John, like the rest of us, have worked hard to save college funds for their kids, with the hopes of some leftovers to live out their retirement years somewhere warm, they are now presented with an even greater task: save John at all cost. No one should ever have to be faced with the choice of either sending their kids to college, or saving the man who means the most to them all. For them, it's a no brainer. Money doesn't grow on trees. They have already spent an astronomical amount on John's care and will continue to do so without hesitation. But, here's where we can help. :)

Michelle, Kim, Alicia, Tracy and I can no longer sit back and let them do this alone. We are taking a stand and joining in their financial efforts to alleviate some of the stress off of their backs. The very best thing we can all do is help save John by banding together financially and offering them greater treatment options. Our time has come!! For a family battling cancer, this is the absolute best way to help!!

Clearly, there is zero pressure. Not everyone is in a position to financially assist and we all know Stacey and John would never want that. With this said, there is no donation amount too small, this is about the many parts that will equal one whole.

If you are in a position to help, on behalf of all who love the Bowen Family, we ask for your consideration in helping us in this unified effort.

To the world we are one person, but to one person we are the world.

With much love,

Jaime, Michelle, Kim, Alicia and Tracy.