Jeff's Journey - Help For A Colon Cancer Warrior

Melanie Harrington is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Air Force veteran, husband, father...Jeff is always ready to give a smile or a helping hand to others.

We hope that everyone will continue to donate and/or share this page to help Jeff's family during this time. While Jeff has left us, his medical bills remain and his family could use your help. Thank you so much for being with us during his battle and during this difficult time. Love to all of you.

Update

We have lost another warrior to cancer. After a courageous battle, Jeff passed away on Friday, March 29, 2019 at his home with his loving family by his side. He fought to the very end, determined not to let this evil disease take him from his family.

During the past year, Jeff would wonder during each birthday celebration, holiday and special event if that would be the last one he would celebrate. There were times when his strength would fade and he would look at me with tears in his eyes and ask why this was happening, what he had done wrong. I could only hold him and tell him how strong he was and that I knew he would beat this.

His heart broke at the thought of not being here while his children grew up, not being able to hold them and teach them and lift their spirits. The sadness of missing birthdays, graduations, weddings and seeing his future grandchildren.

We have lost a kind man, an amazing person who made an impact on other's lives. His passing will affect so many of us. Even at times when he was very sick, he would still take you by surprise by cracking a joke. No matter how he was feeling he wanted to make you feel better. The world needs people like Jeff and we know what a loss his passing creates in our lives.

Thank you to everyone who has offered their support during this time. Your kind words and gestures mean so much. We love and miss you Jeff.

The Beginning - Disbelief

January 1, 2018 started like any other day. Until it wasn't. Jeff began experiencing excruciating abdominal pain and was rushed to the emergency room. Tests were ordered and then came the devastating news. Jeff had a large mass in his colon. I'll never forget the emotions on Jeff's face when the doctor said that. Fear, disbelief, shock.

Things moved so quickly after that. Surgery was scheduled and it lasted 10 hours. But the news wasn’t good. Jeff had Stage IV colon cancer that had spread within his abdomen. We were all stunned, devastated, heart broken. How could this be happening? Jeff faced the news with shock and worry, but also strength.

The Fight Begins

Chemo is a monster. In Jeff's case, that monster came home with him. He was attached to a continuous chemo treatment for 48 hours at a time. Yet, even during those times, he would continue to work. He would go to his son's baseball games and still make time for his family and friends.

The cancer shrunk and made Jeff a candidate for the surgery he needed. However, during the surgery it was discovered that Jeff's cancer hadn't shrunk enough to proceed. Jeff was determined to fight and he started on chemo again. But then the pain was back and a blockage was found. Jeff was admitted to the hospital and while waiting for the blockage to clear, Jeff's bowel ruptured. Emergency surgery to repair it was unsuccessful and Jeff was sent home to heal.

We were told that once Jeff healed he could start chemotherapy again. It's always a race against time. The clock ticks while your body has to heal and cancer doesn't take a day off.

We Need Your Help

As you can imagine the cost of fighting cancer is high, both physically and financially. While Jeff's medical treatments have helped him immensely, they have been very costly. Until his surgery in December, Jeff had continued to work. But now, the healing from this surgery has forced him to stay home. Because of his extended time off from his job, Jeff has exhausted all of his benefit time. Any help that you can provide that will allow Jeff to continue paying for his medical treatment would make a huge difference in his recovery.

We’re so thankful for the incredible support network we’ve had around us and appreciate anything you can do to help us meet our goal by donating and/or sharing this page. Thank you for helping Jeff continue his fight against cancer!