By Erica Thomas, managing editor
LEEDS — Just after Christmas 2020, Jason Ford got the news that would change his life. The 41-year-old was told he had a cancerous neuroendocrine tumor and worse, it had spread to his liver.
Ford went for his first chemotherapy treatment and it wasn’t long before he developed a rare reaction called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). He was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 27 and he never returned home.
While hospitalized, Ford turned 42 on March 9. He died on April 4, 2021, ending his suffering but leaving a hole in the lives of his wife, Summer, and their only child, seven-year-old Palmer.
Ford’s sister, Carla Meloni, has been working with others during the ordeal, to help the Ford family as they continue to receive medical bills.
“It all just happened so quickly,” said Meloni. “As the medical bills pile up, we just want to do as much as we can to help Summer and try to take one less thing off her plate right now.”
When friends first organized a benefit for Sunday, May 16, Meloni said they all thought Jason Ford would be in attendance. But now, as they move forward with plans for the event, they know it will be a little different.
“I think it’s just going to be a very overwhelming day,” said Meloni. “We have had such an outpouring of support from our community in Leeds. They have just been so kind and generous already.”
The event will be a cornhole tournament at Rails and Ales, at 1210 6th St, Leeds, AL. The event will begin at noon and there will be a food truck and a raffle, so you do not have to play cornhole to support the cause. T-shirts are also available for purchase to help the family.
As for Palmer Ford, Meloni said nights are the hardest.
“Part of her bedtime routine was always for Jason to come and ‘tuck her up,’ as she called it, instead of tuck her in,” said Meloni. “And they would watch movies together and stuff like that at night, so nights have been the hardest. But she is a precious, precious little girl and she has got so many friends and family surrounding her and taking care of her right now.”
And Meloni wants Summer and Palmer to know that family, friends and the community are there for them.
You can read more about the #FordTough Cornhole Benefit by clicking here.