Thanks to donor support, hope turned into more tomorrows for Jason.
Over the last two decades, Jason has experienced the deep uncertainty of a cancer journey but also moments of incredible hope.
Today, as he looks ahead to his wedding this summer, he is filled with excitement and is grateful to donors for supporting life-saving cancer research.
At only 19 years old, Jason was diagnosed with ameloblastoma, a rare tumour originating in the jaw. Continuous growth and recurrence meant that Jason endured numerous head, neck and oral surgeries along with aggressive radiation.
The treatment was successful, and Jason continued with regular scans to monitor his health. In 2010, having recently graduated from law school, he was feeling optimistic about the future.
Then a routine scan changed everything.
A chest x-ray showed ameloblastoma in both of Jason’s lungs. He was referred to an oncologist at CancerCare Manitoba, and it was determined that the best course of action was to carefully monitor the cancer. For the next seven years the tumours grew slowly, but Jason had no symptoms. During this time, Jason progressed in his career and enjoyed life close to family and friends.
Then, in 2017 after experiencing concerning symptoms, Jason learned he would need to start treatment to try and shrink the tumours in his lungs. For the next two years, he underwent many rounds of chemotherapy. And while the treatment worked for a time, it was not successful in stopping the growth of the tumours.
Thanks to donor supported cancer research, new and innovative treatments are making a difference for Manitobans with cancer like Jason.
In 2019, just before the holidays, testing revealed that Jason’s cancer carried the same gene abnormality found in certain lung cancers. That discovery opened the door to a targeted cancer treatment, and Jason started daily medication. The tumours began to shrink–a turning point that changed everything. Today, his cancer, while still present, is stable.
“It really is a miracle. The last six years that I’ve been on this medication, I’ve been able to go back to living a normal life,” said Jason. “I simply would not be here without donor support of cancer research.”
Donor supported recovery programs have also had a life-changing effect on Jason in more ways than one.
Jason met his fiancée, Marie-Elyse – a cancer survivor herself – at an Adolescence and Young Adult cancer support group. They were engaged on National Cancer Survivor’s Day.
Jason and Marie-Elyse are looking forward to their wedding this summer and building a future together. They love to be outside, enjoy new restaurants, and take in Winnipeg’s music and theatre opportunities.
As Jason looks ahead, he remains committed to giving back through CancerCare Manitoba Foundation’s annual Challenge for Life event on June 13.
As captain of Jason’s Journey, he is always open to having newcomers join his team and is passionate about spreading the word as a cancer awareness advocate.
He is deeply thankful to donors like you whose generosity has given him more tomorrows with the people who matter most.
“I am alive today thanks to donor investment in cancer research and innovation. The life-saving medications that I take were not in existence when I was first diagnosed two decades ago.”