MOUNT STERLING, Ohio — Logan Jester, 19, has always dreamed of being a firefighter. Last September, he made that dream a reality, joining Mt. Sterling’s Tri-County Fire Department.
“In the short time I’ve been here, people have been so kind to me,” said Jester.
What You Need To Know
- Logan Jester is a 2022 high school graduate who had just started his career as a firefighter before falling ill
- In the fall, he was diagnosed with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, a rare liver cancer
- Money raised from a GoFundMe page and pancake breakfast benefit are going towards Jester’s medical bills
But as months passed, Jester’s health took a turn for the worse and after several hospital scans, doctors broke the news that the teenager had multiple masses on his liver.
“The largest mass being 13 by seven centimeters. And it was pushing on my stomach is what it looked like, which is what they thought the cause of all my nausea was from. They determined that it was fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a very rare type of cancer,” said Jester.
According to cancer.gov, FLC usually occurs in teens and adults under 40 and is thought to make up just 1-5% of all liver cancers.
Jester has dealt with a number of emotions since then — from shock, confusion, even asking himself, ‘Why me?’
He had surgery in December to remove a mass and a portion of his stomach, but as Jester and his parents both know, a long road lies ahead, along with more surgery and chemotherapy.
“Right now, that’s what we’re looking for is the next step, a definite treatment, what my plan is. Kind of want to keep that mentality of every day, what can I do to get better,” said Jester.
“I’ve got a daughter and son that’s a couple years younger than him so it kind of hit hard,” said co-worker and paramedic Brandon Adams.
Adams has led the charge, organizing a GoFundMe page and an upcoming pancake breakfast to help the Jester family with mounting medical bills.
Adams said it was the right thing to do.
“Good for him to know the love and support he has from everybody, that he’s not fighting this alone. In the fire service, we say that we’ve got your six, meaning we’ve got your back. And this right here shows that everybody has his six,” said Adams.
Jester says the community support has been overwhelming and unexpected, fueling his goal of one day being cancer-free.
“i didn’t even expect them to text or call, let alone do everything they’ve done,” said Jester. “It’s crazy. That goes back to why I love this job so much because, I mean, where else are you going to get, like, that amount of support? Even a thought of me just means the world because I believe that is what helps me get better.”
Jester will soon start chemo infusion treatments at the James Cancer Center.
An upcoming pancake breakfast to raise money for Jester and his family will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21.
