Help The West Family And Jeff’s Fight For Life

We were just two weeks away from closing on the home that was supposed to start the first chapter of our life as a family. We were online shopping for furniture when I got the call.

I had been having trouble breathing through my nose and thought it was just sinusitis. When I saw the doctor herself calling, I stepped into another room—something told me this wasn’t routine.

“High-grade B-cell Lymphoma.”

Those words meant nothing to me at first. Then the doctor explained: it was blood cancer. It had caused a tumor in my nasal passage that was spreading aggressively toward my eye. Having watched my mom lose her battle with brain cancer, I knew exactly how serious this was.

As my mind spun with a million thoughts, one moment of clarity cut through:

“How do I tell her?”

After years of heartbreak, Jess and I had finally found each other. This was supposed to be our happily ever after. She was in the next room, probably wondering why I’d been gone so long. I tried to compose myself—but when she saw the tears, she asked softly, “What’s wrong, baby?”

Now I wished she was in on the call, because I guarantee the doctor had a much better bedside manner and ability to deliver bad news than what I was able to present. We sat together in silence—one so deep that it made you realize you only notice background noise when it’s gone. Then Jess broke the stillness with words I’ll never forget:

“Whatever it takes, for however long it takes, I’ll be right here.”

Those words have carried me through every dark moment since.

Our Family’s Fight

This isn’t the start we planned, but it’s still the start of our story—with one thing that was always meant to be: our bond.

Just three weeks after my diagnosis, tragedy struck again. Jess’s sweet daughter Lily lost her father unexpectedly. His absence is a void I’ll never be able to fill—but now they both need me more than ever.

I can promise you this: you’ve never met someone more determined to fight for his life. Because I’m not just fighting for myself—I’m fighting for them.

Our love is real. Our hope is real. And unfortunately, so are the challenges.

We’ve replaced our dream wedding with a justice of the peace.

Our dream home with a small rental.

Our dream business with cancelled contracts and mounting medical bills.

The Battle So Far

Because of the aggressiveness of my cancer—and its proximity to my brain—the treatment has been intense: targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy.

It requires week-long hospital stays every three weeks, alternating with outpatient treatments. There have been two ER visits that turned into hospital stays, and one near-death experience from a blood infection when I had no immune system left to fight it.

Still, I’m standing. A little less hair, a little less strength—but the same belief that this is just one chapter in a beautiful story still being written.

Why We Need Help

Our biggest financial blow has been lost income. Jess left her job to help with our real estate business, which she now manages while also being my full-time caretaker. Because of my health, client confidence has dropped, leading to nearly $100,000 in lost revenue.

Add in medical bills, living expenses for three, and the loss of child support (a temporary situation we’re working through social security to resolve), and the strain has become overwhelming.

We’re asking for help to reach our goal of $80,000—not because it will solve everything, but because it will help us breathe again.

This goal will not be enough to account for the added bills and lost income, and truthfully I don’t forsee this being a reachable goal. (Though we’ve been blown away by the love already shown to our family) BUT, $40,000 will get us half way to getting back on track. $20,000 will pay off our max out of pocket medical expenses for next year. $10,000 will pay off a credit card. $2500 will cover our rent next month. $600 will pay a car payment. $200 will pay for Lily’s new glasses. $50 will pay for a weeks worth of hospital parking. Every donation will be like someone picking up a shovel and clearing away 1 pile of dirt. It will bring us that much closer to being dug out of the current hole we are in.

Why I Said Yes to Help

I resisted the idea of starting a GoFundMe at first. I’ve been more blessed than many, and I know others have greater needs. But a friend said something that changed my perspective:

“People love you. They feel helpless because they can’t take away your cancer—but they can show up for you. Don’t take away their chance to love you in a tangible way.”

That hit home. I remembered times when I was able to help friends in crisis, and how meaningful it was to make their load a little lighter.

So this is me accepting that same grace.

How You Can Help

• Donate what you feel led to give

• Share our story on social media

• Follow our updates on Facebook — add me (Jeff West) or Jess (Jessica Carrion). We post video updates several times a week to keep loved ones in the loop

• Believe with us that this is just one chapter in a long, beautiful story still being written

We’ve already won in one way — through the overwhelming love and support that’s surrounded our family. Every message, prayer, and contribution means more than we can ever express.

Thank you for helping us fight for our story, our family, and our future.