One thing that I feel strongly about as a person is the idea of supporting one another. In my own life I have been supported in various areas, at various stages. It is that support and love that I’ve received from others that has gotten me through the difficult times.
So now I come to you with a story about a local mom, and how we can come together to support her.
Let me start with the dreaded C word-Cancer. Cancer has affected my family, as well as some of my friends.
Cancer is a yucky thing to have to live with. I don’t really know how else to say it. It’s just awful. I often hear about how “strong” a person is because they’ve survived cancer, or have stood by a family member or friend who’s had it. While that is true, I know that those “strong” people need some other people to walk beside them through this time. This is the case for Karyn Jakobs.
Karyn’s story was brought to my attention by one of her friends, Kristen. Kristen is a friend who truly loves and cares about Karyn. Kristen describes Karyn as one of the “nicest and most caring person you will ever meet.” She has also said that Karyn “is the first to help when someone is in need. She is always dependable, and you know she’ll be there when you need her. She is so encouraging and someone you can trust. She is a light to the community and to me.” Karyn is someone whom Kristen definitely looks up to.
Karyn is a local Fresno mother of 5 children, ranging between the ages of 5 to 13. Since April of 2011, Karyn has been battling a rare form of thyroid cancer called Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. This type of cancer does not respond to chemotherapy or radiation, so Karyn is looking to attend an alternative treatment facility, which she has to pay for out of pocket. This is why her family has set up a GoFundMe page for her. On there you can read more about her story, see other ways you can help, and connect with her personally.
You can also watch this short video called Saving Karyn.
Saving Karyn from With Or Without Justin Productio on Vimeo.
Helping raise funds for Karyn Jakobs, so she can seek treatment for a rare form of Thyroid Cancer.
Even though most families who live with cancer need financial help, there are also other ways to be there for them. Sometimes all a person needs is a friend to listen to them, to not look at them with sadness in their eyes, to take them to lunch, to help with dinner, to clean their house or do their laundry, to take the kids to the park so they can shower, to come over and have coffee or tea, to treat them like a normal person. The old adage that it takes a community to raise a child seems to hold true for us all. I think it takes a community to just make it through this journey called life. I believe we are called to be there for one another. So, if you feel led, please donate to Karyn. If you are unable to, perhaps you can reach out to someone else you know. Because if there is one thing I know for sure, it’s that the people of FresYes are amazing people who care for the residents of this city!
Finally, I’d like to end with a suggestion. Could you leave some words of encouragement in the comments for Karyn? Let’s help her get through this!
- Visit Local: Selma - August 26, 2016
- Pet Medical Center and Spa - August 19, 2016
- Adopt Local: Animal Compassion Team - August 12, 2016
Dear Mr. Farris: I am writing to you to thank you for the article you wrote regarding our daughter, Karyn Jakobs. It means so much to her father & I (her mom) that you have taken an interest in our daughter her and her problem with thyroid cancer. By you writing about Karyn has gotten the Fresno community and the surrounding area aware of Karyn’s struggle with her rare cancer. She is now in Mexico and with out Fresno and people like you her journey to Mexico would not have been possible. I was born in Fresno (Verna Steinhauer Sorrick) as well as Karyn, too. I thank The Fresno community so much for helping our daughter for the opportunity to make this trip possible…with out you, again, it would not have possible. Mr. Farris, thank you so much for putting Karyn’s name out there for people to learn and hear about Karyn Elizabeth (Sorrick) Jakobs. Please pray for our daughter….every pray helps. Her Mom, Verna (Steinhauer) Sorrick aka Nana
It was my pleasure Verna. You, your family, and Karyn are in my prayers.