Jamie (as Shelly called him, Jim to many others) met Shelly on the sand volleyball courts during the summer of ‘99. They married and then raised two children, Lizzy (15) and Jason (12). Shelly was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer on November 3, 2017, passing into Heaven on July 8, 2019. The family has a passion for sports with Lizzy in soccer and Jason in baseball. In between and during pauses in the sports seasons, the three love to share life experiences through travel as well as spending time with family and friends.

"Upon Shelly’s passing, I was instantly thrown into a world of unknowns and unfamiliar paths with my two kids. Shelly and I had time to have hard discussions and make plans for ‘what if’. I knew her wishes and that put part of my mind at ease, but the anxiety of everything else was soon cast upon me in an instant. Two parental roles instantly became one. Two halves of guiding the family were now placed on one. The night before her services, I received a call from Shelly’s boss. Shelly had told me about Mike and Mike’s life the past few years becoming a widower. Shelly told me often that whatever happened to her, she knew I would be ok and raise the kids as she would want them raised because she saw strength in me that reminded her of the strength she saw in Mike and he had overcome so much in his life. I had never met or even talked to Mike until that night. His conversation with me left me with a comfort that I was not in this alone and that he and others would be there for me every step of the way. This was the link, created by my incredible wife, that folded me into this group of individuals who are by my side as we combine our efforts to bring about Clear Ribbon Foundation. Our shared experiences have eased my burden and helped to clarify so much of what my family is facing. I know we will never be alone and I want to be able to pass this sense of comfort along to other families derailed by cancer. "