November 7th, 2015 – Planner Jerry Nicholas has been employed with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for sixteen years. Jerry is the sole supporter for his wife of twenty-two years, Maria, and their four children; Josh 21, Timothy 19, Jennifer 17, and Amy 14. In November 2014, Jerry and Maria were attending a conference when Jerry had a seizure and was rushed to a local hospital. Jerry was eventually transported to Bay Medical Center in Panama City, FL where he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma (GBM) Grade IV. GBM is a rare disease and the most aggressive malignant brain tumor in humans. Approximately 50% of patients with this disease pass within one year, while 90% pass within three. Jerry’s prognosis is six months to twenty-four months, but the family has not given up hope. In addition to the significant emotional toll that this prognosis has placed upon the family, there is a large financial burden that must also be dealt with. Jerry is currently receiving care at Duke Cancer Center in North Carolina every 60 to 90 days. He is also coordinating his chemotherapy treatments with an Oncologist in Stuart, Florida. Although he has insurance, it’s only covering a portion of his treatment and travel expenses.
