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The Jason Long Foundation
Background
In 2005, Jason Long, an all-state multi-sport athlete from Lone Peak High School in Highland, Utah, made a decision to put his athletic career on hold for two years so that he could serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Most young men his age being recruited to play college football might have had to think hard about that decision, but not Jason. He knew that it was the right thing to do and like every other decision in his life, he forged ahead with full effort, keeping the goal in view.
Nine and a half months into his missionary service, it was discovered that he had AML, a very aggressive form of leukemia. He was immediately flown home to Utah, and began the latest, cutting-edge treatments for the disease. With his usual kind, positive attitude and unceasing willingness to quietly persevere, Jason battled the leukemia. After intense chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and a successful bone marrow transplant, he began to recover, and seemed to be in full remission.
Jason began a workout plan to return to the football field and became engaged to be married. Eight months later, with no forewarning, a reoccurrence happened in the form of a tumor behind his right eye. Radiation successfully took care of that, but two weeks later, another was discovered around his heart. After the successful radiation treatment it was decided that one more round of chemotherapy would be necessary to ensure that the leukemia had been totally eliminated from his tissues. As a result of the harsh chemotherapy, causing Jason’s immune system to be compromised, a drug-resistant infection appeared that eventually took his life.
Foundation Purpose
The Jason Long Foundation has been established as a non-profit organization primarily to raise money for organizations for which Jason had a passion, that were incredibly supportive to Jason, and which he planned on funding as he pursued his career later, whether as a professional athlete, or as a business man.
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The primary focus of the Foundation is continued financial support of the Huntsman Cancer Institute, where Jason received his cancer treatment. Jason experienced firsthand the incredible care from staff and medical and technological resources that were provided to him. His ambition was to spend a great portion of his professional life dedicated to the cause of helping the Huntsman continue with research and to provide cutting-edge care and resources of cancer patients.
In order to continue Jason’s legacy, and follow through with the desire he had to help this and other great organizations, the Foundation is dedicated to pressing forward through various events and fund-raising activities that will take place on a continual basis.
In addition to Huntsman Cancer Institute, the Jason Long Foundation will also be working with another of Jason’s passions, BYU Athletics, specifically BYU Football. Jason was a BYU recruit, and had been asked to return as a preferred walk-on by BYU once he was through with his recovery. Throughout this ordeal, Jason received incredible support from the BYU football program, its coaches and players. From Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall, to the entire coaching staff, and all the players, there was non-stop support and encouragement. For that, Jason was very grateful. The Foundation will also work to continue Jason’s legacy through ongoing support of the character building BYU football program.
Donations
The Jason Long Foundation encourages anyone who desires to donate to these worthy causes. The battle that is being waged against cancer is being won, in large part, because of donations to great institutions like the Huntsman Cancer Institute. With generous donations from benevolent people, that research can continue, so that anyone afflicted with cancer can get progressive treatment, giving them a greater chance of recovery. It all starts here. Your donations will help further this worthy cause, and allow others to benefit from your generosity.
If you would like to donate to The Jason Long Foundation, CLICK HERE.
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