2023 recipients

The Fehlig Family

Jeff Fehlig is a devoted father, outdoorsman, and local business owner of Fehlig Construction. He has three sons: Jeremy, Justen, and Jordan, who attended Bird Elementary, West Middle School, and Plymouth High School. Their closeness was forged through bowling, hunting, riding Harleys, music, and decades of scouting in Pack 293, Troop 1537. They laugh, play, and work hard together.

Their life became a series of crises in 2021 when the boys’ mother, Nancy, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Small Cell Lung Cancer, which metastasized over 70% of her body. Life didn't give the Fehligs a break. In January 2022, Jeff was hospitalized with metastatic colon cancer and scheduled for surgery on February 8 to remove a third of his colon and part of his liver. Tragically, Nancy took a turn for the worse on February 7 and passed away, forcing the boys to plan her funeral while Jeff watched on Zoom. During Jeff’s months-long hospitalization, the boys were forced to “be tough and grow up quickly,” according to Jeff. “Everytime we get ahead on something, something else happens.”

Justen had to abandon his college dreams to enter the workforce and “become the Dad.”  Justen now works 60-hour weeks as a manager at Motown Harley-Davidson. Jordan, a senior at Plymouth, works at Waltonwood Retirement Community while playing his guitar whenever possible.

Jeremy helps whenever he can, though being away from home makes it difficult. Still, he’s been there for his family through the ups and downs and supported his brothers during their mother’s passing and father’s diagnosis.

Jeff has been unable to find work and stay working consistently since chemo treatments impair his mental and physical health. “I feel normal for maybe a day or two then I’m back at it every two weeks. It’s something new everyday.” Despite the mountains, the Fehligs maintain their humor and gratitude. “We’re alive,” said Jeff, “and I’m happy to be with my boys everyday.”

Faith and support have helped them navigate tough times. Jeff’s 80-year old mother, Joyce, drives him to chemo; love has poured in from the community. “We’ve been through some crazy stuff, but you have to keep your hopes up,” Justen explained. Jeff hopes his construction business will pick up this spring so he can provide for his family once again. The Fehligs will move mountains with family.

The Garland Family

Jason Garland is devoted to his daughters, Alyssa and Madelyn. Madelyn attended Bentley Elementary and Liberty Middle School and is currently a senior at Salem High School, where Alyssa graduated in 2018. Jason is surrounded by the love of his daughters and parents, watching 90s throwback movies like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Breakfast Club. A former DJ, he enjoys music, especially 90s dance. The family bonded by trips to the waterpark, getting chocolate malts, go-karting, and bike riding.

At age two, Jason’s diagnosis of retinoblastoma required removing his eye, chemotherapy, and radiation. In 2014, at 37 years old, Jason experienced a seizure at work and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors discovered lesions on his brain and spinal cord, diagnosing him with Multiple Sclerosis. He worked until April of 2021, but fatigue, immobility, and grand mal seizures forced him “to quit work because I couldn’t walk through the door to get into my office.” Most days, Jason stays home and relies on family to help him. “I feel bad because his independence is gone,” Madelyn explained. Jason receives physical therapy, but transporting him to appointments is a struggle. His disease has taken its toll on the family. At 17, Madelyn is financially independent by working at Szechuan on Ford Road in Canton, while Jason's parents cook and care for him every day. “It is definitely not the life we dreamed of, but we have made it work,” explained Alyssa. As a 2018 recipient of the SJ5K due to a brain tumor, Alyssa knows firsthand how community support helps during a medical crisis. 

Jason’s mountains challenge him daily, but with his family’s unconditional support, he knows “love will save the day.” Madelyn spends as much time as she can with her dad, and Alyssa constantly checks on him. “I worry about him 24/7. I mean that’s my dad. That’s my best friend,” Alyssa explained. Support from the community will help Jason pay for treatment bills, as well as help his parents buy necessities. “People actually care about our story and they care about us,” Madelyn said. Being a part of the SJ5K gives Jason and his family something to look forward to and reminds them that they are not alone. Together, we can help the Garland family move mountains with hope.

The Buster Family

James “Cillian” Buster is a cheerful one-and-a-half year old who loves being surrounded by his family while on walks, visiting the park, and while watching Finding Nemo and Finding Dory. His parents, Dana and Steve, both worked as nurses, though much has changed since his birth. His sister Mars is a freshman at Plymouth High School, and his brother Wyatt is a third grader at Hulsing Elementary. Their busy family juggles Cillian’s care, Mars’ involvement with PARC theater and School of Rock, and Wyatt’s soccer team with the Canton Celtics with the help of all four grandparents.

On July 9th, 2021, Cillian was born with numerous health issues that affected his heart, respiration, and face among other things. He has a hypoplastic left heart, meaning Cillian has an abnormally small heart with two holes, requiring multiple surgeries. His breathing problems were caused by tracheobronchomalacia, which caused his windpipe to close during inhalation. All of these issues were caused by a genetic disorder called CHARGE Syndrome that affects many areas of the body. Cillian’s discharge from the hospital was delayed for almost six months due to a tracheostomy and withdrawals from the medicine from his multiple surgeries. “It’s been so much for one baby, but he’s strong,” Dana said.

Cillian’s health has had a huge impact on his family. The Busters haven’t had much time together as someone always needs to look after Cillian. Dana works from home and cares for Cillian during the day while Steve stays with him at night. While the Busters don’t get to spend much time together, they have adjusted to Cillian’s needs by enjoying everyday moments such as snowball fights, morning wrestles with Wyatt, and trick-or-treating.

The Busters have been met with mountains of difficulties ranging from Cillian’s health condition to their inability to spend time together as a family, but Cillian’s loved ones have been an incredible support system. The SJ5K family will show even more support by providing both financial and emotional aid. It will also help Cillian’s family raise awareness for CHARGE Syndrome. “Not a lot of people know about CHARGE Syndrome, and it’s a lot more common than you’d think,” Dana said. With the community by their side, the Busters know they’re not alone. Together, we can help the Busters move mountains with support.

The Fisher Family

Michael is a sweet one-year-old who is fiercely loved by his parents, John and Angela, and his big sisters. Lily loves to cuddle and read with her brother and Claire kisses Michael at every opportunity. The girls love arts and crafts, and they draw pictures for Michael everyday, while tending to their “Sister Bears,” a gift from the hospital.

Michael’s health issues appeared during Angela’s 20-week ultrasound where concerns for his heart and kidneys led to the discovery of rare abnormalities with chromosomes 14 and 15, which threatened his survival at birth. He was born three weeks prematurely and spent a month in the NICU. Michael’s first year has been dominated by visits to Mott Children’s Hospital, where Angela was a nurse, to address regular seizures, heart issues, and his inability to breathe. “His oxygen levels aren’t as high as they should be even when he’s healthy,” requiring “hospital level care even when he’s home,” because of his tracheostomy, John said. Still, the Fishers look on the bright side and love everything about Michael. Despite the mountains of difficulties regarding Michael’s health, the family appreciates every day they get to spend with him. “We’re just happy he’s about to turn a year old,” John said. “We just want him to have the best life he can.” Time in the hospital has taken its toll on family time, as Angela had to resign from her job at the hospital while John works more as an analytic supervisor at Healthmark, a medical care supplier company. Every family birthday this year has been celebrated at the hospital.

The Fisher family has held onto their hope and strength, supported by their extended family and the larger community, including Angela and John’s parents, and their church, Our Lady of Good Counsel. The Fishers love going on walks and visiting the zoo; however, Micheal’s intensive care has limited how often they can do these activities. Still, they find joy through Star Wars marathons, dance parties at home with a disco light, Encanto songs, hot dogs from Leo’s Coney Island, soccer, and most of all, Michael. The SJ5K would offer the family more community support and show them that they’re not alone. Together, we can help the Fisher family move mountains with love.

The Gazsi Family

Hudson Gazsi was born into a family of athletes: his mom, Emily, was a cheerleader at Plymouth High School in 2007. His dad, Billy, is a personal trainer and owner of Xclusive Fitness in downtown Plymouth and graduated from Canton High School in 2001. Similarly, his brothers enjoy all kinds of sports. Brayden, a sophomore, plays football for the Canton Chiefs, and William, a second grader at Farrand Elementary, plays for the Canton Steelers. Both Hudson and William play baseball (GYCBA coach-pitch and Valiant). The brothers compete fiercely at Madden Xbox football, with Hudson tromping his brothers. Whenever possible, the family is moving: tubing, jet skiing, or fighting in Lexington, walking to Dairy King for ice cream, or attending Lions games.

A fluke injury, a rolled ankle from riding his Razor scooter, began Hudson’s medical journey in August 2022. After eight days of a strong fever, Emily took Hudson to Mott Children’s Hospital for a blood draw and bone marrow biopsy, where it was revealed that he had ALL B Cell Leukemia. However, it was a “miracle we caught it so early,” leading to Hudson’s favorable prognosis. Still, the treatment is grueling, requiring multiple rounds of chemotherapy, lumbar punctures, and steroids. Every round is more aggressive, forcing Emily to balance “keeping him in a bubble” with his need for socialization. Some days “he’s such an energetic, lively boy, always running around, that for a moment, I forget he has Leukemia.” 

Since the diagnosis, the Gazsi’s remain hopeful and thankful, wearing “Huddy Buddy Strong” reminders. Hudson fights with a smile, giving an energetic thumbs up when asked how he’s doing, but waits everyday for his brothers to get home from school. Keeping germs at bay forces the kindergarten Farrand Fox to Zoom with his homebound teacher, Mrs. Ropert, and Emily to forgo her hairdressing career. Needing and accepting help is “bizarre,” Emily said, since they are built for service. No matter what mountains Hudson and his family encounter, their resilience gives them hope for the future and courage to power through. At such a young age, Hudson has been through a lot with more to come. He has good and bad days, but with the affection and strength of his family, the love and support of their community, the Gazsi family will move mountains with resilience.