The Jacobs family, in one way or another, has spent 16 years of their lives living and working in Lake Stevens. Errin Jacobs is an elementary school teacher and their children attend the Lake Stevens schools.

Jerry Jacobs continues to battle cancer, even after receiving chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant last year at the University of Washington.

In 2002, Jacobs was diagnosed with stage IV, Follicular Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and underwent five long years of clinical studies.

During this time, Jacobs not only had to endure the treatments, but had to fly to and from San Diego, Cal. where the clinical studies were being conducted.

In May of last year, the cancer transformed to Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma and the initial stem cell transplant was performed. The hopes were good for a remission after the chemo and transplant, but the six month check up said otherwise, and now the family faces more hardship.
“One stem cell transplant is more than most families can withstand, but two in 12 months?” Errin asked.

The family is currently facing a $71,000 Jerry continues to be as active as possible with his church and the youth group by being Council President.

The community and church have been a great support for the family too, by putting together a silent auction last year to help raise money for Jacobs’ treatment.

“The Marysville and Lake Stevens communities just reached out to us last fall and then to the Johnson’s this spring. Now we are in need again,” Errin said. “Instead of hoping to raise $80,000 like last year, we will need to raise over $300,000 this year.”

Last year her husband’s employer, GLY Construction, was active in helping raise funds, and the Lake Stevens School District teachers donated enough leave time for Errin to be with her husband during his treatment.

This is part of the requirements set fourth by the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for caregivers.

The children continue to remain as strong as possible guided by their father’s strength and their beliefs.

Last week, Jacobs went in for a blood drawing hoping for a donor match from one of his two brothers and to be placed in a national data base for stem cell donors.

To assist the Jacobs family with housing, medical treatments, medications, travel, etc., they are reaching out for assistance and the generosity of others, which is sincerely appreciated say the family.  All donations are tax deductible, and can be mailed to: The Jacobs Foundation, c/o BLC, 7215 51st Ave. NE, Marysville, WA 98270.

“What do people do who don’t have this kind of support? How do they get treatment? What happens to their families? How can medical care be so expensive?” Errin asks.