View Full Version : Sergeant Major Jon Cavaiani, US Army (Ret), MoH Recipient
Team Sergeant
07-16-2013, 14:54
SGM Cavaiani now needs our help, he's also a member of this website. I know times are tough but even $10 can help. And send this article and link everywhere. Thanks, Team Sergeant
Click here to donate! (https://secure.giveforward.com/donate/77503/)
Sergeant Major Jon Cavaiani, US Army (Ret), MoH Recipient (https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/3nl2/congressionalmedalofhonorrecipientjoncavaiani)
Donations will help with Jon's bone marrow transplant and family relocation expenses.
Sergeant Major Jon Cavaiani, US Army (Ret), is fighting for his life. Jon has been diagnosed with MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome), a life threatening blood disorder (see side bar link). Over the last 5 months Jon has received medical consultations, blood transfusions and chemotherapy from San Francisco Veterans Hospital, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Sonora Hospital. Currently Jon is waiting for admission to Stanford Hospital for a bone marrow transplant and other critical treatments.
Jon Cavaiani served his country with distinguished valor serving in the Vietnam War. Jon was a Prisoner of War for 23 months. After his release in 1973, Jon returned to the US and on December 12, 1974 President Gerald Ford presented Jon the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military honor (see side bar link). In 1990 Jon retired after 21 years of service.
Jon, and wife Barb, live in a small community three hours from the Stanford Hospital. Once Jon is admitted to the hospital, his inpatient stay will be dependent on the type of blood marrow transplant determined best for Jon. His inpatient care could be as long as 3 months. During this period, Barb will relocate to Palo Alto to be closer to Jon. Your donation to Jon's fund will defray out of pocket expenses for transportation, temporary living quarters and necessary medical co-pays during Jon's extensive treatment. All unused donations for these specific expenses will be donated to Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation, a scholarship program Jon has worked tirelessly with for 17 years (see side bar link).
Many of Jon's friends may wish to donate blood in support of Jon's battle with MDS and the best way to accomplish this is to donate in your community recognizing that your blood is used for many patients in similar circumstances.
Also, anyone interested in possibly donating bone marrow should visit Be The Match Organization (see side bar link) and join their registry.
Many years ago Jon served gallantly for our country. Our donations will express our gratitude and will help Jon and Barb defray expenses during his fight against this deadly disease. Please donate whatever amount you can to help Jon and his family. And, please tell your friends of this campaign and website.
Trapper John
07-16-2013, 15:01
Here's a story from NewsMax on SGM Cavaiani. Embedded in this is a link to a video in his words re: the battle that led to his MOH.
http://www.newsmax.com/us/cavaiani-vietnam-veteran/2013/07/15/id/515026
Done, and only wish we could have given more!
Thank you SGM Cavaiani for your Bravery, Courage, and Sacrifice!
Get well soon!!!
Holly & sis
Here's a story from NewsMax on SGM Cavaiani. Embedded in this is a link to a video in his words re: the battle that led to his MOH.
http://www.newsmax.com/us/cavaiani-vietnam-veteran/2013/07/15/id/515026
Done and TJ Thanks for this as well. Will get the word out at the office and with friends as well.
Done, SGM you are in our thoughts and in our prayers.
Done, stay strong SGM, prayers for your full recovery
Cake_14N
07-17-2013, 06:45
Done. Please get well Sergeant Major.
Cake
Stargazer
07-17-2013, 08:20
Here's a story from NewsMax on SGM Cavaiani. Embedded in this is a link to a video in his words re: the battle that led to his MOH.
http://www.newsmax.com/us/cavaiani-vietnam-veteran/2013/07/15/id/515026
We have "The Medal Of Honor" book which is filled with one heroing story after another. I am fortunate enough to live in a city that has a Medal of Honor Memorial that I have frequented many times. Humbling experience to listen to the valor these individuals displayed in the darkest of circumstances.
Thanks for posting this TS, it's good to be able to give something back.
Done. Stay strong and get well.
mojaveman
07-17-2013, 21:26
Donation sent.
May you enjoy a speedy recovery SGM Cavaiani.
Thought I would give this a bump, to date $24,856.00 of their goal of $50,000.00 has been raised.
To date $39,386.00 of their goal of $50,000.00 has been raised.
bushmaster11
09-10-2013, 22:37
Sorry I didn't send more. He has given so much for the military. His actions were great enough, there is no amount that can compensate him for his sacrifices.
J R
DOL
Sergeant Major Jon Cavaiani, US Army (Ret), MoH Recipient
$46,208 raised of $50,000
Closing in....
SGM Cavaiani now needs our help, he's also a member of this website. I know times are tough but even $10 can help. And send this article and link everywhere. Thanks, Team Sergeant
Thank you for your service to our country SGM Cavaiani. My prayers and best wishes go out to you and your family. May our Lord, Jesus Christ, be with you, comfort you and heal you. (And He was/is the best doctor ever conceived!)
Team Sergeant, is there any way that I could mail a donation? (Don't own credit cards.)
This was in my email. Thought I would pass along if you haven't seen it.:lifter
Donor Found!
Pat Fitzsimmons
to me
3 days agoDetails
Show images
Sergeant Major Jon Cavaiani, US Army (Ret), MoH Recipient
$47,353 raised of $50,000
Update:
Donor Found!
A stem cell donor for Jon has been found! The donor's stem cells meet all 10 required criteria. We don't know who this generous person is but their pending donation has put all treatment operations into motion.
- Jon and Barb will visit their temporary home at Moffett Field September 25-28, which they will later occupy for the duration of Jon's transplant and subsequent treatment, about 4 months.
- They will move to the Moffett Field house October 20. Their house has been transformed to "super clean" which is critical to avoid sickness after Jon's immune system has been destroyed by chemotherapy drugs. If you missed the description of Special Forces Association Chapter 23 house improvements, please see https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/3nl2/congressionalmedalofhonorrecipientjoncavaiani/updates/40940 It's an incredible story
- During the week of October 21, Jon and Barb attend instructional classes at Stanford Hospital in preparation for his transplant.
- After the classes, Jon will enter Stanford for chemotherapy and radiation, which will destroy his immune system. This is necessary to eradicate the cancer cells and minimize transplant rejection.
- November 7 is the current date for the actual stem cell transplant.
Barb often expresses how they could not have successfully met this challenge without the 347 GiveForward donors, Special Forces Association members and their friends and family throughout the country. Every day they give thanks to all.
Update.
Sergeant Major Jon Cavaiani, US Army (Ret), MoH Recipient
$47,353 raised of $50,000
Update:
Transplant Completed
Jon is now 10 days into the 100 day standard management period after his stem cell transplant. However, the planned two hour transplant procedure on November 8th turned into 2 days plus an emergency hospital stay of 4 days at Stanford Cancer Center while doctors treated his allergic reactions. Jon experienced more severe reactions to the preliminary drugs given to all transplant recipients. After vigilant testing and treatments, the Stanford team was able to discharge Jon from the hospital on Wednesday the 13th. Barb and Jon are "home" at Moffett Field in Mountain View.
Jon will be visiting Stanford regularly during the 100 day monitoring period in order to manage the many known difficulties for stem cell recipients. After successful completion of the monitoring period, Jon and Barb can return to their permanent home in Columbia, California.
ghp95134
11-20-2013, 10:37
Where on Moffett Field?
I work here.
--Guy
Where on Moffett Field?
I work here.
--Guy
Don't know - received the good news in an email.
It might be nice to look them up if you could and let them know about all the folks that are including them in their prayers.
If you find 'em please wish 'em a heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving !!
ghp95134
11-20-2013, 13:53
Don't know - received the good news in an email.
It might be nice to look them up if you could and let them know about all the folks that are including them in their prayers.
If you find 'em please wish 'em a heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving !!
Tony, that's what I'm attempting. I'll ESPECIALLY mention PS.com.
--ghp
ghp95134
11-20-2013, 14:02
Message to Pat Fitzsimmons:
Pat,
I work at NASA Ames Research Center and participate on the ProfessionalSoldiers.com forum (though I'm not SF-qualified). Is there some way I can meet or talk to Jon at his residence -- perhaps to post a photo or message from him to the Quiet Professionals?
Thanks,
--full name redacted
Will post sitreps as developments occur.
--Guy
The Reaper
11-20-2013, 14:41
Thanks for the offer, but CSM Cavaiani is a pretty private individual.
I don't think he wants his personal info passed around, and everybody here who needs his info has it already.
Appreciate the sentiment.
TR
ghp95134
11-20-2013, 15:42
Thanks for the offer, but CSM Cavaiani is a pretty private individual.
I don't think he wants his personal info passed around, and everybody here who needs his info has it already.
Appreciate the sentiment.
TR
Wilco, Reaper. "Feelers" withdrawn and heading back to the RP.
--ghp
ghp95134
11-21-2013, 11:15
I received a response to my original query:
TO: [Full Name Redacted];
Please be advised that Stanford Medical has established firm protocols that prohibit Jon from having guests over the next 100 days. These protocols allow him to rebuild his entire immune system without being exposed to any possibility of compromise. Jon will be at extreme risk by being exposed to people. In addition, Jon is bedridden and extremely weak.
The Doctors at Stanford will re-evaluate Jon at the end of the 100 days. It is the Doctors who will give authority to his wife if he can be exposed to other people.
We will let you know when that becomes the case. If it does, we will let you know.
Jim Shields
My response:
Jim,
Thank you very much for your response and explanation. Can you please let Jon know that all the members of ProfessionalSoldiers.com are wishing him the best and are pulling for him! I just figured since I work here at Moffett Field that I could visit Jon to tell him — but I do understand the protocol.
Kind regards to you, Jon, and his family,
[ghp95134 - name redacted]