Jack's Story

A Note From Mike, Gold in Fight Founder

Jack was not only one of our first Gold Fighters, along with Justin and Emma, but he was one of the reasons we started Gold in Fight. He was also the first Gold Fighter to experience our Pilot for a Day program, where he got on the flight line with the A-10 Warthogs and helped send them off. Jack was a quiet, strong, very smart kid. He was an inspiration to all of us. Jack will forever be part of Gold in Fight.

JACK’s bravery and joy, smiling through the pain and lifting up everyone around him, made PILOT JACK an inspiration to his family, his care team at Johns Hopkins, and all of us at Gold in Fight.

Jack was a smart, kind, beautiful little boy who had a wonderful zest for life. He was such a joy, and always made the best of everything. He was a great big brother to Ryan, and truly such a blessing to us. Being our first child, he changed our lives in every way possible, and we had the best time watching him grow and explore.



From a very young age, he loved all sports and animals and had a huge interest in fighter jets. When he was 4, he joined a T-ball team with Ryan, and after his first game, he woke us up complaining of finger pain. His finger was very swollen and painful. He had spontaneously bled into his joint. We were sent to Johns Hopkins for testing, and within days he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. We were told that he would need a bone marrow transplant to survive, and even that was far from a sure thing. We were absolutely reeling, and trying to navigate our way through this the best that we could for Jack.

Jack had extensive chemotherapy and countless procedures, and had his transplant with marrow donated by his dad. Through every step, he was incredibly brave, smiling through the pain and bringing joy to everyone around him. During the many months spent inpatient at Hopkins, we spent countless hours playing baseball and soccer in the great room, riding scooters around the hospital, and exploring underground tunnels. We raced Hot Wheels down the entrance ramp and flew paper airplanes down to the ground level. We all became so close to Jack’s wonderful team at Hopkins, and were blessed to have them care for him. We met amazing people along the way who provided unforgettable experiences for Jack. He got to be a Pilot for a Day, practice with the Ravens, and swim with the dolphins in Hawaii.

Jack passed away at home, surrounded by his family, about a month before his 7th birthday. It is truly a loss you never recover from, just a defining before and after reality. While we find so much joy in watching Ryan grow and thrive, it is supremely unfair that Jack isn’t here to do it all with us. I talk to Jack in my head and pray multiple times a day, and probably always will. Although life is forever changed, we’ll always be so grateful that he is our son and that we had the time we did with him. His resilience, bravery, and kindness inspire me every day.

Thank you to Jack’s family for sharing his story and allowing us to honor his memory.