By Sheila Bolin Browning
We will be hosting a fundraiser event on May 17 at Pine Creek Hideaway to raise funds for Jonathan Stovall who has stage 4 Primary Pulmonary Synovial Sarcoma. His cancer is incurable. Jonathan is my cousin. He has a facebook site where you can keep up with this progress. https://www.facebook.com/FightingForStovall
I beg of you to read the below story regarding this young man and this family.
We are in need of people to donate nice, tasteful items for a raffle. We also plan to ask for donations of pies, cakes, cupcakes etc. to sell at the event. The dessert items will available for a donation of your choice. Once we get a list of raffle items we will start selling tickets. The raffle tickets will be $5 each. The “Fighting for Stovall” T-shirts will be $20. We are also now selling “Fighting for Stovall” rubber bracelets for $1.00 each. Lunch will be served and the cost will be a donation of your choice.
One of the raffle items will be a FREE wedding at the Pine Creek Hideaway Rustic Wedding venue for a Sunday wedding up to 75 guests (valued at $1,700).
Sponsors: East Texas Bikers and Rumble Against Cancer- They will be doing a ride for this event. Details to follow soon.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/287515561337101/
https://www.facebook.com/RumbleAgainstCancer
BUCK’EM ENTERTAINMENT will be providing DJ services for the event. (903) 477-3492 Kenny Boyle
https://www.facebook.com/groups/438682902881486/
Scooter Pete’s from Tyler TX is also sponsoring the event
http://www.scooterpetes.com/ (903) 581- 0810
14685 Hwy 155 S, Tyler, TX
https://www.facebook.com/ScooterPetes?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
Jonathan lives in Athens with his wife, Erica and infant daughter, Isabella; and parents, Stephen and Sheree Stovall and his brother Stevie. Sheree is my first cousin. Jonathan is 20 years old and was diagnosed May 3rd, 2013. He has had several surgeries to remove tumors since then and is in his 7th cycle of chemo at CTCA in Oklahoma. His doctors say he needs an extra pleural pneumonectomy, but 2 surgeons have already said they can’t do the surgery because they have never done it before. He will be meeting with a doctor in Houston soon, to devise a plan for this future surgery. Not only are they needing to remove his lung, also the pleura (all the lining of chest cavity) and reconstruction of the diaphragm and pericardium. He has numerous cancerous tumors on his Pericardium (near his heart), diaphragm, pleura, inside and outside of his right lung and esophagus. His whole chest cavity is covered with tumors. He has had 14 tumors removed so far between 2 and 7 inches and there are many, many small ones everywhere that’s too small to remove. Thus far none are in any other organs. Sarcoma cancer is 8% of all cancers.. Jonathan’s is 0.5% of that 8%, so it’s very rare. There is not very much data or info out there on this type of cancer. The doctors are treating him aggressively and he faces many more surgeries and chemo.
His doctors expect he will do fine with one lung since he is so young. Due to the tumors stopping the air flow, his right lung is not really functional and it has collapsed in the past. He is scheduled to have a follow up PET scan next week. Because his tumors are soft tissue they are not all showing up on scans. Only 1 in maybe 30 is showing up.
This family is very strong and spiritual. I spoke with Sheree recently and asked how Jonathan was doing mentally and spiritually. She said ” We just do what we have to do… we don’t feel strong all the time. He is doing good most of the time. He has hard moments, but spiritually he knows God is in control and trusts that He will see him through all of this”. Sheree has had to take leave at her job in Athens due to the many doctor appointments that she has to take Jonathan to and the inpatient chemo treatments he requires. Because she is on leave she has to pay for their insurance out of pocket which is almost $500 a month. Their medical bills are astronomical.
In addition to Jonathan being faced with an incurable cancer, she has a another son, Stevie who is 22. Stevie suffers from severe cerebral palsy and also has cystic fibrosis. Stevie has a seizure disorder as well. He requires 24 hour care and will for the rest of his life.
This beautiful family who remains faithful and optimistic, is enduring a tremendous amount of pain and suffering and needs our help.
Until we get the fundraiser date set and organized they are selling T- shirts and rubber bracelets to raise money.
To those wanting shirts, they are $20.00 and payment should be sent to 407 Davis Dr., Athens TX 75751. Payable to Jonathan Stovall. Please include your mailing information and $3.00 for shipping if you need the shirts mailed to you or you may arrange pickup with Sheree Hagood Stovall. Include an extra $1.00 for the bracelet if you want to purchase that as well. You may also send cards and letters to this same address for those wanting to. Jonathan would love to receive these encouragements. Thanks again for all the support.
Sheree Hagood Stovall
Any funds raised will go toward Jonathan’s medical bills, travel expenses and insurance premiums.
If you wish to just make a donation please do so at http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/fighting-for-stovall/153571