Updates from Jon...

January 30, 2012

To all of our loving, caring family and friends, we are very sorry to say that our beautiful friend Jon passed away peacefully in his home, with his family, Sunday the 29th, at 11:10pm. On Thursday night things took a turn for the worse and we knew he didn't have much time left. He was just as beautiful in life as he was during this whole process and in death. He was amazing throughout the his battle. He never complained, he continued to smile til the end. He will forever be in our hearts and will always be loved.

Thank you to everyone who has helped our family through this journey. We are overwhelmed with the love and support everyone has given us through this difficult time. Whether or not we were able to take you up on your offers for help, knowing you were all there helped us immensely.We will let you all know shortly of our plans for a memorial for Jon. 

Love, Lynn, Dean and Olivia Gerhard

May 8, 2011

I'm doing well considering I have 5% of the tumor still in my head. I do both radiation and chemo together. Radiation is 5 days a week and chemo every night at my home in pill form. They taste like rat poison going down and soon after my veins and body seem to be oozing with Draino, industrial strength. It's a wonderfully crappy feeling!!!!

May 31, 2011

The end of Chemo is worse than the start! I'm slowing down, but it feels like they've added more some how. I'm in bad shape! Throw-up is the norm. Typing this is a nightmare!!! Getting through the night was awful!! I have only three days left of radiation!! Thank you to all of my friends for such great support. I know I couldn't have done this without you all.

June 10, 2011

I slept a whole bunch today. Last night was one of my worst nights yet. Wrenched stomach and had a very hard time breathing to the point of my wife wanting to take me to the hospital, but I got through it. Today I hope is better.

June 13, 2011

Last night was real bad. First my stomach starts twisting, then comes me trying to adjust. My poor wife doesn't get any sleep because of me. By 3am I need to go to the bathroom. I stand and walk by myself, try and round the corner of my bed and I collapse from weak legs. My wife has to get up and help me up to the bathroom. So blessed to have a wonderful wife!

About Support for Jon Gerhard

Press release:
May 9, 2011 - Marin IJ marinij.com
May 11, 2011 - Novato Advance marinscope.com
May 17, 2011 - San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce Newsletter sananselmochamber.org
June 5, 2011 - San Rafael/Terra Linda News Pointer marinscope.com
December 27, 2011 - Marin IJ marinij.com

San Rafael small business owner and Novato resident, Jon Gerhard, suffered a grande mal seizure on March 4, 2011. The incident changed his world in all facets; he was diagnosed with a high grade glioblastoma grade IV cancerous tumor located at the right frontal lobe of his brain. Jon underwent surgery at UCSF on March 22, 2011. Dr. Mitchell Berger successfully removed 95% of the tumor. The remaining 5% will be treated by 6 weeks of radiation with chemotherapy followed by chemotherapy 5 days a week, every week, for a year. They will do scans regularly to make sure the tumor isn't growing back.

Jon Gerhard was born in San Francisco in September 1968. In 1989 he moved to Marin County and attended College of Marin. On May 11, 1997 he married the love of his life, Jacqueline. After living in San Rafael for several years, in 2001 they moved to Novato. Jon opened his first tattoo shop, Lucky Drive Tattoos on 4^th Street in San Rafael, on July 16, 2005. The Gerhard’s have 2 wonderful kids; Olivia (7) and Dean (11). Both attend San Ramon Elementary School in Novato.

Thank you to everyone who is supporting Jon and his family.



Fiscal sponsorship provided by Marin Link