As treatment plans began, our family and community realized Jacob would need all of our support. In a true community fashion, we established a fundraiser event to help with the financial costs of trips to St. Louis and 10 months of chemotherapy.
In December of 2022, Jacob completed treatments for the Wilms Tumor and got engaged! After 9 months of remission, in August of 2023, Jacob was diagnosed with MDS/AML, an aggressive form of lukemia. Again, the entire community rallied, not only to help with a wedding, but anything that was needed. After planning a wedding in 10 days, they Jacob and Kelsey were married on October 28, 2023.
Jacob had his first stem cell transplant in January of 2024. At his 6 month check-up, we found out that he had begun to relapse.
In January of 2025, he went through a clinical trial CAR-T cell therapy, which was unsuccessful. He then received a second stem cell transplant in March of 2025. At the 30-day biopsy, we received news that the transplant did not take.
In June of 2025, Jacob traveled to MD Anderson for a month-long clinical trial, which also did not make progress against his cancer.
After another attempt of cell treatment at Barnes in July of 2025, Jacob lost his battle to cancer, and passed away on July 21, 2025.
During Jacob’s own battle, he had the idea of Project Penuel.
We all know a fighter in our community. Inspired by the incredible support they’ve received, Jacob and Kelsey are now on a mission to pay that love forward, offering a hand to those walking a similar path.
Long term, our plan is to establish a community through Project Penuel to support those with similar battles. Because no one fights alone.
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