Help Jack get through life-changing surgeries

My name is Jack Timperley. Others may know me as the superhero persona, Captain Marrow. I'm a 25-year-old man living with a variety of chronic medical conditions including Fanconi Anemia, chronic lung conditions, severe scoliosis, gastrointestinal abnormalities, and an extensive medical resume since birth. I’ve had over 50 surgeries and I’m a bone marrow transplant survivor. I was even a Make-a-Wish recipient in 2004 when my family and I went to DisneyWorld for my 5th birthday. I’m currently 4ft 8in and 52 lbs. While I have roots in Illinois and Rhode Island, I currently live in Cincinnati, OH and work as a licensed insurance agent with Symmetry Financial Group.

In the summer of 2022, I was hospitalized in the ICU at Cincinnati Children's Hospital for about six weeks which included treatment for a variety of lung concerns. After an intriguing encounter with God, I made a miraculous recovery the doctors had no explanation for despite their grim predictions. See the video below for the story. During that time, a NJ tube was placed for supplemental nutritional feedings, particularly overnight. I decided to keep it in after the hospital and it helped me gain weight for the first time in my life! I got up to about 60.5 lbs within a few months! However, I ended up taking it out in March 2023 because it was causing more throat irritation than was worth it. Since then, I have lost all the weight I gained. It has become extremely challenging to keep weight on through diet alone, even with a structured eating plan which includes nutritional shakes. Over the past few months, I’ve battled several lung infections, low platelets, muscle pains, and continued gastrointestinal bloating and discomfort for various reasons. It’s time for a change. It’s time to get back in the ring.

On July 3, 2024 at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, I will be undergoing open surgery under intubation for a GJ tube placement (button tube for feeding and gastric venting), tapering duodenum (cut a piece off, since it’s too big), and vocal cord injection with small notch repair (to treat partial vocal cord paralysis). The GJ tube will allow me to more easily gain and maintain weight, and may be something I keep for life if necessary. It will also help decrease the risks during future procedures, like my upcoming cataract surgery. The duodenum tapering should relieve symptoms of bloating and discomfort, and possibly improve the functioning and movement of the duodenum. The vocal cord injection should improve my voice quality, improve cough productivity, and reduce frequency of lung infections. The plan is to extubate directly to BiPap, so by the time I wake up I should already be on the road to recovery. The benefits of these procedures outweigh the risks. It’s become a bigger medical risk if we do nothing.

My recent health challenges have made it much more challenging to make a living at every turn. I will need help paying for my living expenses leading up to, during, and after my surgeries. That's where you can help. I don’t know how long I will be in the hospital or how long it will take me to fully recover. Once I do recover, and start gaining some healthy weight, it will be easier for me to make a living without as many restrictions. I’ve been training with my insurance agency so I’ll be able to launch my career once I’m recovered. My goal is to make a positive impact on the world and be here with my family and friends for as long possible. Any excess funds will be used to help pay for cataract surgery later this year. If 100 people donate $50, we'll reach our goal!

My recovery from all the procedures I’ve been through in my life is proof of the power of community support from family, friends, and fans of the The Jack Club (a name used to fundraise for my bone marrow transplant). This is why I know you will be willing to help me reach my goal. Donating to this fundraiser is not just about money. It's about contributing to an idea. The idea that life is worth living. With your help, I can live as long as possible, with the best quality of life.

Please share with your friends, family, and any organizations you may be involved with.

More on Jack Timperley: https://www.jacktimperley.com

Follow the journey on Facebook: The Jack Club - a Medical Marvel

Watch on YouTube: "I Was Saved By The Hand Of God"

Read the Captain Marrow comic book origin story